First there was Henri Boillot 2008, then Leflaive 2008 – though apparently the latter didn’t like seeing it in print here – now, fresh in it’s Louis Latour 2009.

20% sounds a lot, but it only brings prices roughly back down to (depending on who) vintage 2004 levels, and let’s not forget that some increased their prices already in 2002, 2003 & 2004 – a good vintage followed by two ‘short’ vintages.

Many producers are ‘hurting’ and expect no respite until they launch their 2009s – who can blame them if EPs are ‘well-priced’ – many need the cash!

Neither the harsh filter of youth nor the frequently traumatic growing season betray the irreversible beauty of these 2007s. They possess grace, a rare quality in even great wines that combines a delicate but persistent richness with purity, elegance, concentration and length.
Source: Corney & Barrow

Of-course not all producers are suffering, some domaines get cash up-front from their local distributors, and need have little consideration for the general economic cycle – That will be Domaine de la Romanée-Conti then!

With yields of 26-32 hl/ha for their reds (38 for Le Montrachet) the yields are a little above average, and quite a bit higher than they achieved for the 2008 vintage.

For those with an interest, above are links to the merchants’ offers for the usual (UK) January EP-a-thon…
My most recent thoughts on the vintage can be found here, and I’ve already bought wines in both colours. Jancis has also just added a little detail in her weekend FT column, which you can see here and additionally here.
For clarity, the merchants have paid a token fee for listing & I make no comment as to the merits of each offer, or who I’m buying from!

Vins blancs
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET Les Combettes 75cl 69.00 Swiss francs (78.00)
MEURSAULT Perrières 75cl 98.00 (109.00)
CORTON CHARLEMAGNE 75cl 109.50 (128.00)
CHEVALIER-MONTRACHET 75cl 198.00 (219.00)
MONTRACHET 75cl 388.00 (399.00)

Vins rouges
CLOS DE VOUGEOT 75cl 99.00 (109.00)
CHAMBERTIN 75cl 149.00 (159.00)
ECHEZEAUX 75cl 158.00 (169.00)
MUSIGNY 75cl 199.00 (218.00)

The values in brackets are the prices for the 2007 offer. Less thrilling ‘discounts’ than those seen for Henri Boillot and Domaine Leflaive, but reductions all the same. For those ‘in the market’, that’s about the lowest price for Musigny around, everything else looks like ‘optimistic’ pricing…

New in:

“The event «Jeunes Talents du Vin» “Wine Young Talents” unveiled the prize winners of Year 2009 on 10th December in Paris. Presided by Philippe Faure-Brac, Best Sommelier in the World, the jury selected 7 “vignerons” from 7 vine growing areas of France.”

Domaine Seguin-Manuel was awarded the « Burgundy » Trophy. Well done Thibaut!

You can click on this link www.lesjeunestalentsduvin.com if you would like to see pictures of the ceremony.

I brought your attention to the auction of part of the cellar from the Tour d’Argent that was held in Paris last week. I myself made some bids on what looked like reasonably priced (and perfect provenance!) 1993s, the estimates were, however, rather under-estimates – the wines made 2.5 to 4x mid-estimate. Needless to say I ended up with no bottles!

Tim Atkin made a visit to La Tour d’Argent and made an interesting report here.

DOMAINE LEFLAIVE 2008 – Puligny-Montrachet

BOURGOGNE 75cl 34.00 Swiss Francs

PULIGNY-MONTRACHET 75cl 59.00 (69.50 – 2007 price comparison)

PULIGNY-MONTRACHET Les Clavoillons 75cl 79.00 (98.00)
MEURSAULT Sous le Dos d’Âne 75cl 86.00 (99.50)
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET Les Folatières 75cl 109.50 (139.00)
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET Les Combettes 75cl 109.50 (139.00)
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET Les Pucelles 75cl 139.00 (169.00)
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET Les Pucelles 150cl 283.00 (343.00)

BIENVENUES BATARD MONTRACHET 75cl 209.00 (289.00)
BATARD MONTRACHET 75cl 229.00 (299.00)
CHEVALIER-MONTRACHET 75cl 295.00 (389.00)

Versus the 2007 prices this time last year, these are quite significant price reductions, and for an even better vintage too (in general – I didn’t taste the Leflaives). So perhaps the reductions recently seen on the Henri Boillot pre-arrivals will actually be reflected in retail prices in a more general context.

Whilst Leflaive are clearly a ‘premium brand’, I still consider these prices too high – but possibly closer to a sustainable ‘niche’.

I see that people were very enthusiastic at the Hospices de Beaune auction:

• New York Times