Investment Recommendation: Château l’Evangile 2008
(12x75cl) RPJ: 94 pts
Château
l’Evangile is a right bank estate that was acquired
in 1990 by Domaines Barons de Rothschild – owners of
Château Lafite Rothschild.
Being one of the more recent additions to the
growing number of Châteaux under DBR management,
l’Evangile is a wine that has been receiving a lot
of interest out in the Far East and recent trading
has seen high activity on the Hong Kong secondary
market, with large amounts of stock being bought up
from the UK market.
Just earlier this year, Robert Parker re-tasted the
wine upon bottling, and awarded the Pomerol a highly
commendable 94 points. If we compare this to all
other physical back vintages of l’Evangile, it is
second only to the 2005 (RPJ: 95 pts), which speaks
volumes for the work done under the tenure of the
Rothschilds. With the ’05 currently trading upwards
of £1,900 per case, it’s clear to see that there is
considerable room for growth for the 2008.
Tasting Notes
“A 2,700-case blend of 88% Merlot and 12%
Cabernet Franc cropped at a low 27 hectoliters per
hectare (compare that with 39 hectoliters per
hectare in 2009 and 31 in 2010), this superb claret
was aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Mulberry,
spring flower, black cherry and raspberry
characteristics as well as hints of spice and coffee
emerge from this full-bodied, opulent, structured
beauty. It should age effortlessly for 15-20
years..”
Robert Parker Jnr, Wine Advocate (194), May
2011
In the 6-months following the lifting of the
sulphites ban, the Far East secondary market
appeared to be none the wiser as to Bordeaux’
sweeter option. However, the last 2 quarters have
seen a strong uptake in Sauternes’ only 1er Grand
Cru Superieur, with prices rising 5-10% across the
board and a large increase in trade frequency on the
London Exchange (Liv-ex).
What’s been particularly interesting are the recent
auctions, with a huge surge in Hong Kong based
activity, which has been impressive by the volume of
lots, the range of vintages and consitency of
estimates being achieved (and in numerous instances
exceeded). Most recently, a case of 2001 sold for
£6,338 at one of Acker’s Hong Kong auctions – over
26% above recent Liv-ex trades. But topping
estimates at auction is not a new phenomenon for
Yquem. Headlines were made in 2006 when a 135-year
vertical was sold by The Antique Wine Company at a
London auction for $1.5 Million, the record for a
single lot of wine at the time. In July this year,
Stephen Williams, Managing Director at AWC , sold a
single bottle of 1811 Château d’Yquem at a private
auction in London’s Ritz Hotel, making it the most
expensive bottle of white wine ever sold.
Considering the recent interest surrounding this
Château out in Hong Kong and with only 2,700 cases
produced, the ’08 is a vintage we believe to have
particularly strong investment merit, and certainly
if the performance of fellow Rothschild wines are
anything to go by, then at the low capital level,
this is certainly a low-risk wine with great
potential.
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scrolling trades below are brought to you in association with the
London International Vintners Exchange
