Château Latour 2009 has recently been re-released at EUR 840 per bottle ex-château, capturing the attention of collectors and investors alike.
This prestigious vintage is being offered at EUR 910 per bottle and is priced internationally at GBP 11,100 for a 12x75 case. With 12,000 bottles (1,000 cases) included in this release, it presents both a rare opportunity and a premium pricing challenge.
Re-Release Pricing Breakdown
This re-release price of EUR 910 represents a 5.8% increase compared to the ex-négociant release price of the 2020 parcel (EUR 860) and an 18.2% increase from the original en primeur release price of EUR 770. Although Liv-ex initially reported an ex-négociant release price of EUR 950 per bottle, it appears that the final offer landed slightly lower at EUR 910.
On the international market, the offering of GBP 11,100 per 12×75 case is notably 16% higher than the current Market Price of GBP 9,480 for this vintage. Recent trading prices indicate that the wine last exchanged hands at GBP 8,602, further highlighting the upward pricing trend surrounding this re-release.
Critical Acclaim
The 2009 Château Latour has consistently garnered high praise from critics over the years. Neal Martin, reviewing the wine in December 2019 for Vinous, awarded it 98 points, noting its impressive salinity and exceptional focus on the finish. His detailed review emphasized the wine’s extraordinary balance and beauty, calling it one of the most remarkable vintages of Latour.
Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate had similarly lofty praise for the 2009 vintage, originally scoring it between 98-100 points en primeur, but later raising his rating to a perfect 100 points. Parker described this vintage as monumental, a testament to the efforts of François Pinault and director Frédéric Engerer to push the boundaries of quality at Château Latour.
More recently, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, reviewing for The Wine Independent in March 2024, echoed Parker's sentiments by awarding the wine another perfect score of 100 points. Her tasting notes revealed that the wine is "flat-out delicious" in its current state but promises even more complexity and reward for those patient enough to cellar it longer.
Pricing Analysis
Despite the critical acclaim, the question remains whether this re-release offers good value for money. According to Liv-ex's 'Fair Value' methodology, the market prices of Château Latour tend to correlate with Neal Martin’s scores (68.7% correlation). However, the current Market Price of GBP 9,480 per 12x75 case already places the 2009 vintage well above the Fair Value line.
This pricing dynamic raises concerns about the value of today’s release price for consumers, especially considering the ex-château premium. Comparative analysis shows that the 2005 Château Latour, which also received 98 points from Neal Martin, is currently offered at GBP 7,150 per 12x75 case. This makes the 2005 vintage significantly more attractive in terms of value when weighed against the higher price of the 2009 release.
Conclusion
Château Latour 2009 remains a critically acclaimed vintage, with a legacy of near-perfect scores and praise from renowned wine critics. However, the premium pricing of this latest re-release, especially when compared to similarly acclaimed vintages like the 2005, makes it a challenging proposition for collectors seeking value. While the 2009 is undoubtedly a landmark wine, buyers may need to weigh the appeal of owning this highly rated vintage against the cost, particularly given the better value alternatives available in Latour’s historic portfolio.
For collectors and investors, the allure of the 2009 is undeniable, but the question remains: is it worth the premium today?
Source: Liv-ex