2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Wines (Best Bottles, Investment Tips)

The 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur week was quite unusual yet exciting. This En Primeur campaign (which lets you taste and invest in wines while they’re in the barrel) was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Meanwhile, the Bordeaux 2020 harvest had its fair share of challenges. However, it turned out to be a wonderful vintage that produced high-quality wines with delicious fruit flavors.

Let’s check out the 2020 Bordeaux vintage report, the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur wine characteristics, and the best-selling 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur vintage wines.

We’ll also explore why you should consider investing in the Bordeaux 2020 wines and why Vinovest is the best platform to do it.

The 2020 Bordeaux Vintage Report

The year 2020 had harsh weather conditions that disrupted vine growth. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions also presented logistical challenges - such as the difficulties in organizing work crews.

However, 2020 turned out to be an excellent vintage that produced extraordinary wines.

The year started off with heavy rainfalls that were beyond historical averages. A combination of rain and cold temperatures led to the widespread outbreak of mildew.

Fortunately, the effects of mildew subsided when temperatures rose in April and May. in fact, there were a few estates that reported losing a significant amount of grapes due to mildew (unlike in 2018.)

There was no rain between mid-June and mid-August, and most estates (like Saint Emilion and Margaux) reported dehydration on the Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Additionally, the grapes were smaller in size, and the yield was very low.

The Merlot grapes were harvested around mid-September, while the Cabernet grapes were picked about a week later.

Due to the drought challenges experienced mid-year, the best wines were produced from well-drained appellations like St Emilion, Pomerol, Pessac Leognan, Pauillac, and St Julien.

The 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Wine Characteristics

Let’s check out the characteristics and tasting notes of the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur wines:

A. Left Bank Bordeaux Wine Characteristics

The 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur wines from the Left Bank appellations are typically characterized by crunchy freshness, shining acidity, full-bodied richness, and low alcohol levels.

The typical Left Bank Bordeaux red wine boasts dark fruit flavors, fine-grained tannin content, and black fruit aromas with cassis notes. Meanwhile, the white wines shine with floral aromas, a smooth texture, and the tasting notes of citrus fruit. 

B. Right Bank Bordeaux Wine Characteristics

The fine Bordeaux En Primeur wines from the Right Bank boast delightful freshness, crisp minerality, and fruity richness.

The red wines display dark fruit flavors, supple tannin content, and black fruit aromas with floral and cassis notes. Meanwhile, the white wines shine with a firm structure, juicy acidity, saline intensity, a creamy texture, and the tasting notes of white-fleshed fruit.

What are the Best Selling 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Vintage Wines?

Some of the best-selling Bordeaux En Primeur wines include the first growths of Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, Haut Brion, and Mouton Rothschild.  

When looking at both the Left and Right Bank appellations, here are the best-selling 2020 Bordeaux wines to check out:

A. Best Saint Emilion 2020 Wines

1. Pavie
2. Angelus
3. Ausone
4. Clos Fourtet
5. Canon

B. Best Pomerol 2020 Wines

1. Lafleur
2. Trotanoy
3. Le Pin
4. La Conseillante
5. Vieux Chateau Certan

C. Best Pessac Leognan 2020 Wines

1. Haut Brion
2. La Mission Haut-Brion
3. Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge
4. Haut-Bailly
5. Les Carmes Haut-Brion

D. Best Margaux 2020 Wines

1. Margaux
2. Palmer
3. Rauzan-Segla
4. Brane-Cantenac
5. d’Issan

E. Best Pauillac 2020 Wines

1. Mouton Rothschild
2. Lafite Rothschild
3. Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
4. Pichon-Longueville Baron
5. Château Lynch Bages

F. Best Saint-Estephe 2020 Wines

1. Montrose
2. Cos d’Estournel
3. Lafon-Rochet
4. Calon Segur
5. Haut-Marbuzet

G. Best Saint-Julien 2020 Wines

1. Leoville Las Cases
2. Ducru-Beaucaillou
3. Leoville Poyferre
4. Leoville Barton
5. Gruaud-Larose

Now:

With overwhelmingly positive critics’ reviews and super-high quality wines, there were fears whether the 2020 wines would be way too expensive compared to the affordably-priced 2019 vintage.

So, how were the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur wine prices compared to those of excellent vintage years like 2019?

How Do the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur Wine Prices Compare to Those of the 2019 Vintage? (First & Second Growths)

The 2020 First Growth wines were priced lower than previous excellent vintages like 2016 and 2018. Meanwhile, the Second Growth wines were costlier than previous vintages but performed well on the market.

1. The Bordeaux En Primeur First Growth Prices: 2020 vs 2019

Here’s how the prices of the First Growth wines have changed:

• Chateau Margaux: The 2020 Chateau Margaux wine was released at $481 per bottle ($6,830 per 12-bottle case) and was roughly 30% more expensive than the 2019 vintage.   
• Chateau Lafite Rothschild: The 2020 Chateau Lafite Rothschild great wine was released at $529 per bottle ($7,727 per case) - costing around 8.9% more than the 2019 vintage wine.
• Chateau Haut Brion: The 2020 Chateau Haut Brion was released at a market price of $481 per bottle ($6,828 per case) and was around 8.5% more expensive than the 2019 vintage.
• Château Mouton Rothschild: The 2020 Chateau Mouton Rothschild was released at $481 per bottle ($6,828 per case) - costing roughly 6% more than the 2019 vintage.

2. The Bordeaux En Primeur Second Growth Prices: 2020 vs 2019

Let’s now check out how the Second Growth wine prices changed:

• Château Léoville Las Cases: The 2020 Château Léoville Las Cases fine wine was released at $220 per bottle. Its price was 36% higher compared to the release price of the 2019 vintage.
• Château Cos d’Estournel: The 2020 Château Cos d’Estournel wine was released at around $167 per bottle - a 32% increase compared to the price of the 2019 vintage.
• Château Montrose: The 2020 Château Montrose was released at $142 per bottle - a 28% increase compared to the price of the 2019 vintage.
• Château Ducru-Beaucaillou: The 2020 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was released at $178 per bottle - costing around 20% more compared to the release price of the 2019 vintage.
• Château Léoville Poyferré: The 2020 Château Léoville Poyferré wine was released at $80 per bottle. Compared to the 2019 vintage, this wine showed a price increment of about 23%.

Now, are the 2020 Bordeaux wines investment-worthy?

Why You Should Consider Investing in the 2020 Bordeaux Wines

While 2020 had several challenges, the wines produced that year are exceptional and worthy of investment.

The best part is that these wines carry a brilliant aging potential of 15-20 years!

Interestingly, critics’ reviews of the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur wines are quite impressive. Here’s how famous wine professionals rated wines during the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign:

1. 2020 Chateau Haut Brion

   • James Suckling: 100 Points
   • Jeb Dunnuck: 98-100 Points

2. 2020 Chateau Margaux

   • James Suckling: 99-100 Points
   • Decanter: 98-100 Points

3. 2020 Château Mouton Rothschild

   • James Suckling: 99-100 Points
   • Decanter: 98-100 Points

4. 2020 Chateau Trotanoy

   • James Suckling: 99-100 Points
   • Jeb Dunnuck: 98-100 Points

But that’s not all!

Since production was quite limited in 2020, these fine wines are a rarity. Meanwhile, demand is increasing - especially since the economy is recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 restrictions.

As for price appreciation, the Bordeaux wines released En Primeur in 2020 are expected to increase in value by around 10% annually. 

So, these wines definitely deserve a spot in your cellar!

Now, 

What’s the Easiest Way to Invest in Bordeaux 2020 wines?

The smartest way to invest in a rare, authentic 2020 Bordeaux fine wine bottle is by using a reputable wine investment platform like Vinovest. The site helps you buy, sell, and store the world’s finest investment-grade wines from France, New Zealand, and worldwide.

Vinovest also helps you invest in fortified wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, red wine, or any great wine bottle from Château Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Le Pin, Château Lynch Bages, and Chateau Clos Fourtet. 

They’ll source the most authentic bottles for you from wineries, global wine exchanges, and wine merchants at the best possible wholesale prices.

Pick a Fine 2020 Bordeaux Wine for Your Cellar

The Bordeaux 2020 growing season produced some of the finest, most delicate wines. Most of the wines tasted during the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur week even scored high points from notable wine critics.

The best part is that most of the finest 2020 Bordeaux wine bottles carry incredible investment potential!

Visit the Vinovest website to find out how you can buy, store, and sell the best 2020 Bordeaux wines, fortified wine, Cabernet Franc, and other fine wine bottles from St Emilion, New Zealand, or any wine region in the world.