The 2005 vintage of Chateau Montrose, an estate in the St Estephe appellation of the Médoc, and Cheval Blanc 2006, a wine ranked among the top four growers of St Emilion (pictured above), were the stars of last week’s trade by value on Liv-ex, London’s fine wine market place.

In fact, second growths like these that have been getting most of the attention so far this year, fuelled no doubt by interest in the cheaper wines of Bordeaux in the run up to Chinese New Year.

In the last week of January, Leoville Poyferre 2003 & Pichon Baron 2009 also saw good levels of trade, boosting Bordeaux’s overall trade share and helping to raise the Liv-ex Fine Wine 50 Index by 1.6%.

The good news comes after a four year slump in Bordeaux trade figures brought on by global economic downturn and decreasing demand from Asian investors.  

For your wine collection: Montrose 2005

Chateau Montrose’s 2009 vintage caught buyer’s attention in January when a fresh batch was released onto the market, according to Liv-ex. The 2005 is cheaper even though this is generally regarded as a very good year for fine wine, especially amongst the First Growths.

The Chateau has been under the ownership of Martin and Olivier Bouygues since 2006, who run the Paris-based construction and media company Bouygues SA. The estate is amongst the top 20 producers in the Médoc region, north of the city of Bordeaux, and ranked as a second-growth vineyard since Napoleon III’s 1855 Bordeaux classification.

“The 2005 Montrose is an exceptionally tannic, broodingly backward offering displaying a dense ruby/purple color along with a provocative perfume of crushed rocks, flowers, cassis, black raspberries, and blueberries. It continues to add weight and richness, good traits considering the substantial, forbiddingly high tannin levels and zesty acidity. If you are over the age of fifty, this backward, powerful wine will probably be more enjoyable to your descendants. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040+” Score: 95, Robert Parker 2008.

For your wine collection: Cheval Blanc 2006

Chateau Cheval Blanc, which translates as “white horse”, has the status of Premier Grand Cru Classe A alongside Chateau Ausone, Chateau Pavie and Chateau Angelus in the recent 2012 St Emilion re-classification, which replaced the one dating from 1996.

Along with the top names in Champagne – Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Krug & Veuve Clicquot – and Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes, the estate is marketed and co-owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the world’s largest luxury goods company, and Belgian businessman Albert Frere.

“The brilliant 2006 Cheval Blanc performed better from bottle than from barrel. A blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot grown in a superb vineyard site facing La Conseillante and l’Evangile at the very edge of the sandy, gravely soils of St.-Emilion, it boasts a dense ruby/purple colour as well as a sweet perfume of menthol, charcoal, boysenberries, black currants, and hints of cocoa and caramel. Lush, textured, and opulent with superb purity, medium to full body, savoury flavours, and sweet, sexy tannins, this stunning Cheval Blanc may be even better than the 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.” Score: 95, Robert Parker 2009.

Other fine wines for sale at Capital Vintners 

The First Growths accounted for just 12.5% of trade by value last week, whereas other leading wines traded over the last week include Napa Valley’s Screaming Eagle 2013 vintage, Cheval Blanc 2007 and Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2003.

Capital Vintners stocks all these wines and more – give us a call on 0207 378 3500 to speak to one of our experienced brokers for advice on how to compile the best fine wine portfolio.