While many of the entry level 2009 Bordeaux wine futures prices have been released over the last few weeks, wine collectors are holding their “collective” breath for the cream of the crop, those elite that live in the 1rst growth tier.  From what I read and hear, it appears as if futures prices of these wines will be released sometime over the next several weeks.  That’s the good news.   The disappointing news to me as a Bordeaux wine lover, is that rumors have it that the 1rst growth prices may approach and in some cases exceed the last surge in 2005.   In light of the fact that the US just dodged the worst economic onslaught in 80 years and Europe is now struggling (witness the plunge of the Euro), it would seem to me that discretionary monies for high end wines would be limited.  Somehow, I can’t imagine that we are going to return to the good old days of funding our leisure lives through home equity and credit cards.  So from where is the fuel coming to support higher futures prices? 

Well, one is the Asian continent, fueled by China.  Hong Kong wine auctions have been very well attended and highly successful in selling most the auctioned lots at asked for or higher prices.  As well, Bordeaux merchants believe that the US will step up for another Bordeaux vintage of the decade, the half century or century.  Recall that we heard the same praises uttered for the stellar 2000 and 2005 vintages with 2003 just a smidge behind, but that was another era.  With all this said, where should Bordeaux lovers look to start or add to their high end collectibles.

One corner that I’d be eyeing are the 2000, 2003 and 2005 vintages.  These are all outstanding and proven vintages with most wineries producing between five and ten thousand cases per vintage.  If you believe, as I do, that not all of the top wines from these vintages has been soaked up, what do you think may occur if the ‘09 futures prices come out at record highs?  If it were me, I’d look at the pricing of the earlier vintages to see if I can pick them up at a more reasonable cost.