Primeur sales (or futures) are a unique sales method that is well-established in Bordeaux and covers the sale of most Grand Cru Classé wines from both the left and right bank, as well as around fifty other associated wines. Château Cambon la Pelouse has been sold for 20 years in this exclusive, very selective market.
How does it work?
The Primeurs Campaign is officially launched in the first week of April. Around 3,000 industry professionals from all over the world come together in Bordeaux to taste the new vintages of the key chateaux. When they are presented, the wines are still being aged. Merchants, brokers, importers and journalists assess the new vintage. The estates talk about the year’s weather, and growth cycle, the quality of the fruit and the winemaking process.
After this week of tasting, the properties set prices based on the quality of the vintage, yields, the market, etc. They also decide on quantities to be allocated to each merchant, who will be supplied with a specific number of cases of each wine for sale.
Brokers provide the link between the estates and the merchants. Each reservation is documented with a purchase docket made out by the broker. The wine is thus officially reserved and will be delivered the following year.
Twentieth anniversary for the wine of Château Cambon la Pelouse
Château Cambon la Pelouse wines were first sold en primeur alongside Grand Cru Classé wines in 1999, three years after Jean-Pierre Marie arrived to direct the estate. Since then, the property has formed many partnerships with very exclusive merchant houses and about 90% of the wine produced is reserved en primeur. This is a great sign of recognition and trust from the Bordeaux merchants and importers worldwide. We would like here to thank them sincerely. Château Cambon la Pelouse is sold in more than 30 countries around the world. In terms of distribution, this is a fantastic success for the Bordeaux wine trade.