1996 – Best back vintage to invest in? - 19th February 2010
By Thomas Gearing (C.O.O) - Cult Wines Ltd - http://www.cultwinesltd.com

In recent times, En Primeur has stolen the limelight when it comes to Bordeaux fine wine investment, because of the phenomenal gains that the 2008 first growths have made since their release. But when it comes to buying physical stock, which year is the best to invest in?

Analysing the methodology of buying fine wine for investment, it seems to point the investor in the direction of one particular vintage:

1) Wines that are high scoring across the board (most importantly 95+pts RPJ score)
2) Have shown a solid track record for growth.
3) Have widespread appeal (First growth – Lafite, Mouton, Latour)
4) Approaching the drinking age
5) Supply decreasing


1996 Vintage:

With the market driven so heavily by the Asian Hub, I would still recommend to the investor concentrating on the three wines which have proven so popular in Hong Kong and China (Lafite, Mouton and Latour). As the table above shows, the 1996 vintage of these three wines meet the criteria of the perfect investment wine.

With availability of the 2008 vintages becoming more scarce (in particular Lafite 2008), and with the 2009 campaign right around the corner, for the investor looking for a physical stock there isn’t a better choice than the 1996’s.

To speak with an investment advisor or for further information regarding the 1996 vintage please CLICK HERE

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