Bordeaux Second Wines of First Growths Outperforming Top Labels, Liv-ex Says

Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Photo: Guy Collins The second wines of Bordeaux first-growth estates outperformed their more prestigious main labels over the past year as investors and collectors sought access to top brands at lower price points, according to the London-based online Liv-ex market. The index of second wines rose 17.6 percent over the pasts 12 months, well above the 5.5 percent gain in the Fine Wine 50 index of first growths and outperforming all other sub-indices of the Bordeaux 500, Liv-ex said in an Insights post on its website. The top left-bank first-growth estates comprise Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Haut-Brion. All have had first-growth status since the 1855 Bordeaux classification with the exception of Mouton, which gained promotion in 1973. Their respective second labels are Carruades de Lafite, Petit Mouton, Les Forts de Latour, Pavillon Rouge and Le Clarence de Haut-Brion. The past 12 months also saw a revival in prices for Sauternes sweet white dessert wines, whose index rose 6.7 percent over the past year, according to Liv-ex. Chateau Coutet, Chateau Rieussec and Chateau d'Yquem helped drive prices higher, it said.