And what about 2011?
ByI returned yesterday from a visit to Bordeaux with Jo Locke MW. While all the hype about 2010 continues, and prices continue to drip, drip, drip slowly out of Bordeaux (click here for details of timings of our 2010 en primeur offers), in Blaye, Bourg, Castillon and Entre-Deux-Mers, concern is for the current happenings in the vineyards rather than the markets.
It has not rained in these parts since February, and growers’ attitudes range from fretting over the lack of water right through to ‘que sera sera’. Those who have older vines with deeper root systems are less worried, as they will likely be 
reaching right down to the nappe phréatique (water table) but for those who have more recent plantings, these drought conditions are causing some frowns. Driving past the vines bore this out – the older the vines, the healthier looking the leaves. Some of the younger vines’ leaves were visibly wilting. There was one man in particular, however – Thierry Lurton of Château de Camarsac – who was particularly pleased with the wall-to-wall sunshine because of the way he powers his chai (see right)!
Flowering, which last year happened at the end of the first week in June, happened before mid-May! It hasn’t been that early since 1976. Pictured left is a young bunch of cabernet sauvignon at Château de la Dauphine. Hard to believe that we’re not even at the end of May. If things continue at the same pace, harvest is anticipated for 3rd September. It is early days yet, though – watch this space for further news as and when we get it.
Ewan Murray
Head of Tastings & Events
Just wondered why you do 2 offerings and not just 1. I understand that chateaux declare at different times, and doubtless the price and allocations of the better stuff take longer to settle. Wouldn’t having just 1 offering later, help with members buying decisions?
The classed-growth and pricier wines are taking an unconscionably long time to decide their prices this year for reasons best known to themselves. Meanwhile we have a complete and comprehensive selection of the best of non-classified claret where probably the best value is to be found and it seems sensible to offer members these wine with no more delay.
I am also curious as to why there are two offers again. When the member has a set budget to spend it makes it hard to know how much to commit on the first offer. As the wines are still two years from delivery I don’t see how another month would make a difference to members.