Buying Petrus/Lafite...

[Petrus1983]

Does anyone know how I can commandeer a bottle or so of Petrus/Château Lafite - but here's the thing, I only want a 2014. Basically my first son was born this year and as a family we've always collected wine, but always older vintages, never 'fresh'. With Lafite substantially cheaper that would be my preference.

[tgr]

Now? They'll still be making it

[Petrus1983]

I appreciate that - I was just wondering if there were any UK dealers who could assure a quantity once it had been through the 'process'. I'll give Berry Bros a buzz in the New Year failing any other suggestion.

[Le TVR]

At that end of the market I would usually deal with millesima:

http://www.millesima.fr/producteur-chateau-lafite-...

But you'll need to wait a bit!

[Davey S2]

This seems a rather basic question for someone whose family has 'always collected wine'. Why not go through whoever your family uses for buying?

I'm assuming you also know that you can generally only buy en primeur by the full case (or 24 half bottles or 6 magnums)?

[Petrus1983]

Le TVR said:

At that end of the market I would usually deal with millesima:

http://www.millesima.fr/producteur-chateau-lafite-...

But you'll need to wait a bit!

Brilliant - thanks TVR. Also interesting to see how quickly the price go up, especially if it's a good vintage.

[Petrus1983]

Davey S2 said:

This seems a rather basic question for someone whose family has 'always collected wine'. Why not go through whoever your family uses for buying?

I'm assuming you also know that you can generally only buy en primeur by the full case (or 24 half bottles or 6 magnums)?

Appreciate these sentiments. As a family we'd always used a company called Vinance in London, kinda/very pushy sales team but had always delivered good results. We were prudent and paid for our own storage next to their storage facilities that they offered so it was always in our own name, so when they went pop in 2012 we weren't affected, give or take a little bit. That was our only big foray into wines so don't have any 'broker' so to speak. I'd much prefer to buy a case of 6, and if the prices that are on Le TVR's link continue into the 2014 bottles that would be great.

[DeuxCentCinq]

If you did want a single bottle of something, get your name down for a port from one of the decent producers. We're waiting to see if this year was Colheita-worthy.

[schmunk]

You can get him a 2014 Petrus for his 8th birthday...

http://www.bbr.com/list?keywords_F=Petrus%2C+Pomer...

[Davey S2]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Most people buying first growths are just investors so keeping it in a bonded warehouse makes sense from a VAT / duty point of view.

Also if I was buying a case for first growth claret to eventually drink I'd want to know it's been stored correctly. No point spending thousands and then sticking it under the stairs for 20 years.

You could use it as an opportunity to convince the other half you really need to have a spiral cellar installed at home or at the very least a few eurocaves.

[apotek]

I bought a case of 1988 Carruades (for my second son). Lafites second growth and payed about 14 pounds a bottle but that was about 1989.
just consider the case more fun and when you buy it back 15 years later you get to drink some great wine.
The case of Quinta do Noval 1985 is still waiting to be breached

[LooneyTunes]

Davey S2 said:

Most people buying first growths are just investors so keeping it in a bonded warehouse makes sense from a VAT / duty point of view.

And more importantly from a provenance point of view!

OP, what's the attraction of the two wines you asked about? If it's investment potential then pro storage is the only way to go.

If it's gifting/drinking good wine then large formats of something slightly less flashy would be where my money would go (a couple of imperials makes a good present) and, usefully, DMs/Jeros and larger are usually single units for en primeur purposes (but sadly also often for storage bills!).

[Petrus1983]

LooneyTunes said:

OP, what's the attraction of the two wines you asked about? If it's investment potential then pro storage is the only way to go.

It's not because I think they're the best wines on the planet right now, but ones I feel will still hold significance in 21 years time and two wines I've aspired to myself, although rarely tasting personally. They'll definitely be held in pro storage, to go along with the personalised plate retention costs I've already got him! In 21 years he can drink it, store it or sell it, hopefully drink it, but that's for him to decide

[LooneyTunes]

In that case, Berrys or Farrs are probably the people to talk to - albeit you may fare better by way of allocation if you buy other stuff in the interim.

[Petrus1983]

LooneyTunes said:

In that case, Berrys or Farrs are probably the people to talk to - albeit you may fare better by way of allocation if you buy other stuff in the interim.

I'm sure that could be arranged

[Petrus1983]

A quick update... after more searching than I anticipated I now have 3 bottles of 2014 Petrus being delivered in Autumn (unless I arrange for them to look after them).