Fresh consignments of Château Latour 2012 have recently been released from the esteemed Bordeaux estate, coinciding with a broader wave of fine wine launches this September. The newly available Latour 2012 is now priced at €420 per bottle from négociants, reflecting a 20% increase over its original release price in 2020, as reported by Liv-ex, a leading global marketplace for wine trading.
In the UK, merchants have set the ex-châteaux Latour 2012 at approximately £400 per bottle when in bond, translating to about £2,400 for a six-bottle case, or £4,800 for twelve bottles. Existing stocks of Latour 2012 were previously trading at around £4,000 per twelve-bottle case in bond, though prices fluctuated among suppliers. It is not uncommon for new ex-château stocks to command a premium over current market cases, although the specific premium levels are often hotly debated within the wine trade community.
While the re-release has attracted attention, reports indicate that consumer demand for September releases in La Place de Bordeaux is relatively subdued amid challenging market conditions. Nevertheless, many wines have received high quality ratings, hinting at potential future interest.
A Shift for Château Latour
The 2012 vintage represents a strategic pivot for Château Latour, which opted to leave the Bordeaux en primeur system that year. Instead, they decided to age vintages in their cellars for several years before release. Consequently, the Latour 2012 became the youngest grand vin available when it made its debut in 2020, with subsequent releases continuing but not strictly in the same chronological order.
Earlier this year, the estate also unveiled its highly praised 2016 vintage, which boasted a perfect 100-point score, and it was met with strong demand upon its release.
September Releases and Market Trends
September now marks a significant period for fine wine releases through La Place de Bordeaux. While many offerings are top contenders from their respective regions and have achieved excellent quality scores, this year’s market appears relatively quiet in the early stages of the campaign.
Market expert Miles Davis from Vinum Fine Wines noted that his firm has sold some new releases from prestigious labels including Masseto, Opus One, and Château Haut-Brion, the latter of which has re-released its 2014 vintage at competitive pricing. However, Davis remarked that many new releases have not been enticing enough to stimulate buyers in the current economic landscape.
Fine wine prices on the secondary market have been declining for over two years, impacting overall demand. Some early September releases gained traction, particularly the Château Tronquoy 2020, Vin de Constance 2022, and Chile’s Seña 2023, in contrast to others struggling to draw interest.
For further insights on the latest market trends and wine ratings, you can review the expert scores for September’s releases.
See our expert ratings for La Place de Bordeaux September releases