The first chance to reserve the best for your cellar.
What is En Primeur?
En Primeur, or “wine futures”, refers to the process of buying wines before they are bottled and released. Purchasing En Primeur allows you to purchase rare vintage wines and secure parcels of some of the world’s most sought-after wines before they are officially released to the open market. Moreover, En Primeur pricing is generally more affordable than the eventual release price.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux remains the world’s most important producer of fine red wines.
Steeped in a vine-growing tradition of several centuries, the vineyard of Bordeaux is located in the southwest of France and includes 60 different appellations spread over 113,000 hectares. Enjoying a rare and exceptional terroir, Bordeaux is the birthplace of many fine wines, among the most famous and expensive in the world.
The region is split neatly into two distinct styles by varietal and geography. The better-known regions of Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac and Saint Estèphe to the west of the Gironde River produce Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wines with power, backbone and structure.
The communes of Saint Émilion and Pomerol on limestone and clay soils lean more toward the Merlot varietal, often offering richer and generous wines. In between is the Pessac-Léognan region, which technically combines these two styles, pivoting between the Cabernet styles of the west and the Merlot of the east.
Burgundy
It is possible to enjoy Burgundy as one finds it, a specific region responsible for the world’s most significant expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a clear hierarchy starting with generic Bourgogne wines and rising through defined ranks from Village level to the Premier and Grand Crus. A closer look reveals how the simple slopes of the Côte d’Or crystalise into a jigsaw puzzle of daunting complexity. The charm of Burgundy arises from the myriad of micro-climates, production philosophies and familial politics that influence every wine released “En Primeur”. With some experience or guidance, Burgundy can be the most rewarding of regions to follow.
Scarcity adds to the excitement with the production of many top wines limited to only a few barrels, even in the largest of vintages. Burgundy “En Primeur” gives you the rare opportunity to secure your allocation at the best price possible.
Rhône
The Rhône Valley, home to some of France’s oldest vineyards, is divided between the Grenache-based blends of the Southern Rhône and the typically single varietal wines of the North. The timeless appeal of well-known regions like Côte-Rotie, Hermitage and St-Joseph in the North and Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas in the South draws continuing interest to the region as each appellation offers a unique style. With a ream of 100pts scores for top wines over the past ten years and a run of good vintages since 2015, there is no doubt that the wines can be of excellent quality. However, without a defined cru system, the Rhône may be a complex region to navigate, so Le Clos has chosen a small selection of wines whose scarcity and reputation make them best suited to buying “En primeur” at the best possible price before they have been snapped up.
On the global stage of wine investment, the Rhône is a region that still plays a supporting role compared to the stars of Bordeaux and Burgundy. Nonetheless, “En primeur” allocations sell out within weeks, if not days, of release, and prices steadily increase. Their longevity and drinkability make Rhône wines a sensible and delightful purchase.
The En Primeur campaign begins.
Your dedicated Account Manager can assist you in finding the perfect selection for your needs.