En Primeur

Next Campaign: Bordeaux 2024

What is En Primeur?

En Primeur, often referred to as wine futures, is a fascinating way of buying wine while it’s still maturing in barrels, well before it’s bottled and released to the market. This system is most famously associated with Bordeaux but is also common in Burgundy, Rhone, and other prestigious wine regions. En Primeur gives wine lovers, collectors, and investors the chance to secure wines months, or even years, before they become physically available.

The practice of En Primeur dates back centuries, originally developed to provide winemakers with early funding for production. Today, it serves as an exclusive opportunity for buyers to access coveted wines, often at their lowest market price. The process begins with tastings held in the wine-producing region, where critics, merchants, and industry professionals sample barrel-aged wines and offer insights, reviews, and scores. These tastings significantly influence demand and pricing during the campaign.

How does buying En Primeur work?

First, leading wine critics and industry professionals, including our team, taste and assess the wines directly from the barrel. These tastings are vital, as critics release detailed reports highlighting the standout wines and best-performing estates of the vintage, which heavily influence demand. Following these assessments, the wines are offered for sale, giving you the opportunity to secure them early. Wines are sold In Bond, meaning they are priced before Duty and VAT are applied and are typically sold by the case.

Once the wines have completed their ageing process, they are bottled and shipped to our warehouses. At this stage, you can request delivery to your preferred location or opt to store them with us. When you decide to take delivery, Duty and VAT will need to be paid. This streamlined process ensures perfect provenance and offers maximum flexibility for wine enthusiasts and collectors.

Bordeaux En Primeur:

Bordeaux En Primeur is the most iconic and widely recognised En Primeur campaign, showcasing the region's finest wines while they are still aging in barrels. This annual event draws global attention, as it provides collectors, merchants, and investors with the unique opportunity to secure wines from some of the world’s most prestigious chateaux, often at their lowest market price.

The Bordeaux En Primeur process typically begins in the spring following the harvest, with industry professionals, critics, and merchants gathering in Bordeaux to taste barrel samples of the latest vintage. These early tastings offer insights into the quality and character of the vintage, and the subsequent scores and reviews significantly influence market demand and pricing. Estates then release their wines in tranches (batches) over several months, with pricing often increasing as demand grows.

The benefits of buying Bordeaux En Primeur include access to limited allocations of wines from renowned chateaux such as Chateau Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, and Mouton Rothschild. Purchasing En Primeur also guarantees perfect provenance, as the wines come directly from the estate and are stored under optimal conditions until delivery. Additionally, buyers often enjoy a price advantage compared to purchasing the same wines once they are bottled and available on the market.

For collectors and enthusiasts, Bordeaux En Primeur is a chance to build a curated cellar of exceptional wines from one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, ensuring both investment potential and future drinking pleasure.

What Are the Benefits of Buying En Primeur?

Access to Sought-After Wines
Some of the world’s most prestigious estates, such as Chateau Margaux and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, release limited quantities of wine. Buying En Primeur is often the only way to guarantee an allocation of these highly sought-after bottles.
Attractive Pricing
En Primeur wines are usually offered at their lowest price during the campaign, and many buyers see their purchases appreciate in value once the wines are bottled and released.
Perfect Provenance
Purchasing wine directly from the estate ensures pristine provenance. The wines are stored under ideal conditions until delivery, preserving their quality and value.
Building a Tailored Cellar
En Primeur allows collectors to secure specific vintages and producers, making it easier to build a curated and personal collection.
Investment Potential
For those looking at wine as an investment, En Primeur offers the potential for strong returns. Wines from highly rated vintages and top estates can increase significantly in value over time.
Connection to the Vintage
Buying En Primeur connects buyers with the story of the vintage, from the climatic conditions to the winemaker’s vision. It enhances the enjoyment of the wine when it is finally opened.

Frequently Asked Questions About En Primeur

1. What is En Primeur?

En Primeur is the process of purchasing wine while it is still aging in barrels, often months or years before its official release.

2. Why buy En Primeur?

It provides access to rare wines, often at lower prices, with guaranteed provenance and the opportunity to secure your allocation.

3. Which regions offer En Primeur wines?

Bordeaux leads the way, but Burgundy, Rhone, Tuscany, and Champagne are also notable regions that release wines En Primeur.

4. How does pricing work?

Chateaux set initial release prices, often based on vintage quality and demand. These prices can rise post-release depending on the market.

5. Are En Primeur wines a good investment?

While many wines appreciate in value, market fluctuations mean returns are not guaranteed. It’s best to buy wines you enjoy drinking.

6. How long until I receive my wines?

Typically, wines purchased En Primeur are delivered 18 to 24 months after the campaign, once they’ve been bottled.

7. What does “In Bond” mean?

"In Bond" refers to wines stored in a bonded warehouse, exempt from duty and VAT until they are removed for consumption or resale.

8. Can I store my wines In Bond?

Yes, many merchants offer bonded storage, which keeps your wines in optimal condition while deferring taxes.

9. Is there a minimum purchase requirement?

This depends on the merchant. Some sell by the case (6 or 12 bottles), while others allow smaller quantities.

10. What are the risks of buying En Primeur?

Potential risks include price volatility, the waiting period for delivery, and reliance on the financial stability of the merchant.

11. How do I choose which wines to buy?

Critical reviews, tasting notes, and advice from merchants can help guide your choices based on quality, value, and personal preference.

12. Can I resell En Primeur wines?

Yes. Wines stored In Bond are often sold or traded before they are even delivered.

13. How do I ensure provenance?

Purchasing through reputable merchants guarantees your wines come directly from the estate and are stored properly until delivery.

14. Is En Primeur suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! It’s a great way to begin building a fine wine collection, especially with guidance from trusted merchants.

15. What happens if the wine doesn’t meet expectations?

While rare, this can happen. Critics’ reviews and early tastings offer a reliable guide, but wine can always surprise—positively or negatively.

16. When is the best time to buy En Primeur?

Timing is crucial. Buying early in the campaign often secures the best prices and ensures allocations before wines sell out.