Cadman's wine blog

According to Bloomberg News (from a Chinese government statement), Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite has begun building a winery with a local partner in China, as Asia’s thirst for fine wine continues apace.

Lafite Rothschild, Bordeaux

The 4-acre property is to be constructed in the coastal city of Penglai in the eastern Shandong province, one of China’s largest wine-producing areas. CITIC East China (Group) Co. is said to be the local partner. The project will comprise a vineyard, winery and related facilities, and will be Rothschild’s third Lafite production base, outside of Bordeaux, after Argentina and Chile.

The first phase will cost around $15.8 million and a date for completion is yet to be set. Annual wine production in Penglai has doubled since 2005 and the number of winemakers increased from 39 to 70 in the same period, according to the statement.

According to Robert Parker, the world’s most influential wine critic, the answer is a resounding you bet.

Parker, who recently said of the 2009 vintage that it was “unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted,” has just republished his scores for the vintage, awarding an unprecedented 19 wines (18 red, 1 white) his magical 100 point rating.

More often than not, Parker’s 100-point ratings are awarded to wines at the more expensive end of the spectrum. However, in 2009 Parker also identified several more relatively affordable wines. Affordable at the moment that is, as the Parker effect can significantly increase profit margins for producers and investors.

2009 has topped off a successful millennium for Bordeaux, following the excellent 2000 and great 2005 vintages. And to put Parker’s 2009 scores into context, he delivered more perfect scores for 2009 than he gave for the 1982, 1990, 2000 and 2005 vintages combined.

Needles to say, demand for Bordeaux 2009 has surged following the release of his scores, accounting for over 60% of Liv-ex turnover in one 24 hour period, with Super Seconds (2nd growths) generating the largest share of trade.

2009 Vintage characteristics

The 2009 growing season saw relatively benign weather conditions, and consequently individual terroirs (the unique characters of vineyard sites) shone through rather than, say, a particularly hot year determining the style of wines.

As a result, many châteaux took full advantage of the opportunity to let their own style to manifest itself into their wines. Both banks claimed equal success, but looking objectively, the left bank showed greater consistency: the Cabernet-based blends being tannic, structured and polished, with simply stunning balance. That being said, the top dogs of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion were simply breathtaking, and the right bank in general produced many strong, powerful wines with enough fruit to sink a battleship.