dégustation des Bordeaux Primeurs 2012

Tasting the 2012 Bordeaux Primeurs

As every year at the beginning of April, Bordeaux will welcome tens of thousands of professionals from all over the world for the week of first fruits 2012.

What does the tasting of the 2012 Bordeaux Primeurs consist of?

From April 9th to 11th, the Châteaux of the classified appellations Grands Crus open their doors to allow professionals to taste the Grands Crus of Bordeaux 2012 during the aging process. On this occasion, the Châteaux and their grounds are meticulously manicured to welcome and charm visitors from all over the world. These tastings generally take place a week after those reserved for official critics and accredited journalists. Two types of tastings are organized: the Wine tastings by invitation only at the Châteaux and the public tastings by the Union des Grands CrusEvery year, a Château representative of its appellation is responsible for organizing the tasting of wines offered by the partners of the appellation.

Tasting program

Château Fourcas-Hosten: Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Moulis & Listrac
Château la Conseillante Pomerol
Château The Lagoon: Sauternes & Barsac
Château Labégorc: Margaux
Château Olivier Graves & Pessac-Léognan
Château Phélan Ségur : Saint-Julien, Pauillac & Saint-Estèphe
Château Soutard: Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The principle of early sales in Bordeaux

Let us remember that the wines of 2012 vintage The grapes were harvested between September and October 2012, then vinified and finally aged in oak barrels for a period that typically lasts between 8 and 14 months. Following this aging, the wines are blended by an oenologist and then bottled. They are then delivered to wine merchants or stored in the Château's cellars.
When wine is sold while still aging, it is called "primeur". Château actually sells a reservation title to traders who then resell it to the market.
The tasting of early produce It's quite complex: as the wine isn't finished, it's still difficult to assign it scores. Critics, moreover, only provide a range and reserve the right to confirm the final score after bottling, generally in March of the vintage year + 3.

…and the Cavissima team

As every year, Cavissima will be present with a team of tasters to tackle more than 120 tastings over 2 days. The program changes from year to year to dedicate time to private tastings.

  • Thursday, April 10: on the Right Bank

-    Vieux Château Certan - Pomerol
-    Château Clinet - Pomerol
-    Clos Fourtet – Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé B
-    Domaine of Chevalier – Pessac Léognan
- UGC tasting of Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Pessac-Léognan wines

  • Friday, April 11: on the Left Bank

-    Château Pontet Canet – 5th Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac
-    Château Margaux – 1er Grand Cru classé of Margaux
- Cos d'Estournel – 2nd Grand Cru Classé
- UGC tasting of Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Saint Estèphe

Following these tastings, we will be better able to decipher the 2012 vintage and to grasp the qualities offered for each château. We will then be able to reserve our allowances and meet the demand starting at the end of April. We already know that the quantities will be down by an average of 30%We will try to satisfy a larger number of people. However, it would be surprising if the 2012 prices were lower than those of 2011.

You can now find the dedicated page on the online store. Bordeaux Primeurs 2012 !

Also follow our early produce buying guide

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