I wrote a blog post about the 2008 Bordeaux futures campaign yesterday afternoon, with the intention of posting it today. I won't be able to post it now. It was about how the 2008 futures are now available, and how the story up until this point has been less about the wine itself, and more about the reductions in price the 2008's have seen compared to the 2007's.

 I was headed for the exit yesterday evening with a smile and feeling of accomplishment, wondering if there if there was anywhere still open where I could get a haircut, when I was paged over the store PA system. They needed me back at the office. We had suddenly received a whole bunch of futures orders all at once. The assumption was that one of the big wine publications had released their 2008 barrel tasting notes, complete with scores, that guide Bordeaux investors in their en primeur purchases.

Interesting Press

 Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate had indeed released his reviews last evening. The scores he gives the wines of this vintage are much higher than anticipated from early press and vintage reports, and average out to be higher than the reviews given by James Suckling of Wine Spectator. A quick scan of Parker's notes show statements like "The 2008 Lafite Rothschild is one of the most profound young wines I have ever tasted" and "Damn me for saying it, but I actually think the 2008 Latour will turn out to be even better than the 2005 or 2000." He puts particular emphasis on the Pomerol commune.

 Mr Parker's reviews hold a noticeable sway in the wine public's opinion - we felt it here at Binny's in the form of a surge of purchases. I don't mean to question Parker's credibility. He has proven himself a valued and influential voice in the wine world and is a cornerstone of wine journalism.

This is a fascinating time to be in wine

 Up until yesterday afternoon, the conversation has been about how, as a reaction to the global economic crisis, most en primeur pricing for 2008 Bordeaux has taken a significant drop from 2007 levels, driving sales. Bordeaux prices rose after 2005's amazing vintage, and remained high despite the average 2006 vintage and lackluster 2007.

 The need for lower pricing for the 2008 vintage is reflected in Suckling's notes, and is the conclusion of Parker's article as well. But Parker's scores lend increased demand to the vintage, in addition to the already lowered prices. It will be interesting to see how the wine market reacts to this.

 Will 2008 prices stay low? Will there ever be a consensus on the wines of 2008? Can Bordeaux pricing affect the prices of other wines from all around the world? Why were producers willing to lower their prices so if the vintage is as amazing as billed? How will this affect the higher-priced and mostly unreleased 2007's and 2006's? Will differing opinions affect wine journalism, or the public's opinion thereof?

By the way

 Check out the list of 2008 Bordeaux futures Binny's is offering, and be sure to note that we are still offering futures pricing on 2007's and select 2006's.