Wines
To request our current wine list, send us an email.
The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 ranked the Chateaux of the region into a league table representing their importance as growths (crus), from First to Fifth.
The First Growths (wine’s Premiership; Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Latour, Margaux & Haut Brion), as well as some ‘super seconds’ (a select number of Second Growths) and a handful of highly regarded Chateaux from the Right Bank which fell outside the classification system (notably , Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Ausone & Le Pin) form the backbone of today’s investment market, representing over 90% of traded volume.
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
Arguably the most famous and prestigious of the First Growths, and consistently the most expensive. Bottles often command four figure price tags; the heralded 1982 now trades at over £40,000 per case, the 2000 at over £20,000, and even recent vintages such as the 2003 and 2005 are now over £13,000 per case (April 2010).
The record for the highest auction price ever achieved for a bottle of wine - previousy £105.000 for a 1787 allegedly once owned by Thomas Jefferson - was broken in October 2010, when three bottles of 1869 sold for £147,000 each in Sotheby's ex-cellar sale in - surprise surprise - Hong Kong. Hundred and fifty grand vinegar, anyone?
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Chateau Latour
James Bond’s favourite. Need we say more?
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Chateau Margaux
Interestingly, a bottle of Château Margaux 1787 holds the record as the most expensive bottle of wine ever broken, insured at a whopping $225,000 (actual payout remains unconfirmed).
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Chateau Haut-Brion
The only first growth from outside the Medoc (this one lives in Graves), and the one with the funny shaped bottle. Easily mistaken at a glance for a Burgundy, the distinctive bottle was introduced in 1958 as homage to early decanters.
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Chateau Mouton-Rothschild
In 1973, Mouton was elevated to First Growth after decades of intense lobbying by Baron Philippe, one of the only changes in the original 1855 classification. This prompted a change of motto: previously, the motto of the wine was Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis. ("First, I cannot be. Second, I do not deign to be. Mouton I am."), and it was changed to Premier je suis, Second je fus, Mouton ne change. ("First, I am. Second, I used to be. But Mouton does not change.")
Each year the estate commissions an artist of note to design the label. This has included offerings from Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, and even Prince Charles!
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Chateau Petrus
Whilst the wines of Pomerol were not included in 1855 classifications, Petrus has long been considered the equal of the First Growths, and due to its even greater rarity (only around 2,500 cases per year are produced, whereas Lafite, for example, might produce ten times that) will often command even more astonishing prices. Expect to pay upwards of £70,000 for a case of 1961!
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Chateau Cheval Blanc
One of only two wines (the other being Ausone) to receive St Emilion’s highest rank of Premier Grand Cru Classe.
There is a wonderful story about Jaques Hebrard, the owner of the Chateau. Outraged by a bad rating of his 1981 Vintage, Hebrard demanded a re-tasting by Robert Parker Jr; the world’s most influential critic. Upon arrival at the Chateau, Parker was attacked by Hebrards dog whilst he stood idly by. When Parker asked for a bandage to curb the bleeding, he was instead handed a copy of the offending article!
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Chateau Ausone
Producing only a few hundred cases per vintage, prices for this magnificent little estate in recent years are astonishing. The 2000 & 2003 trade for around £15,000 and £13,000 per case respectively, and the 2005 at well over £20,000! Often heralded as the finest wine in the world.
Click here to request our Ausone stock list
Chateau Le Pin
Un-classed, highly regarded and spectacularly expensive. Expect to pay £50,000+ for a case of the 1982, (if you can find any!)
Click here to request our Le Pin stock list
Ian Dodd, SurreyI was utterly thrilled to receive £13,000 into my account this month, having invested £5,175 with Albany less than a year ago.
November 2010
K OlivierI have recommended Albany Portfolio Management to many of my friends and that is testimony in itself as I do not do that lightly. I will continue to highly recommend them as I found them to be honest and hard working with a cutting professional edge sadly lacking elsewhere in the industry
E PrzygrodzkiI have found dealing with APM to be hassle-free, offering time and sound advice to the wine novice which I certainly am. The recent invitation to lunch at Brooklands [APM's storage facility] was a real treat...
E Przygrodzki...It is good to be able to put faces to the names of those we are dealing with and very interesting to be able to visit the 'caves' where our wine is stored. It was also rewarding to meet some of the fellow investors. A real cross section of people from all walks of life.
B GlassI discovered Albany Portfolio through a favourable article in Moneyweek. From the outset the team have been most helpful in advising me in this new area of investment for me...
B Glass...I am regularly kept up to date by regular emails and when there is especially interesting propostion by phone. I am delighted with the performance of the portfolio that I have built up in the last eighteen months and look forward to developing it further.
D RicciardiI have always been interested in wine mainly as a drinker, but also interested in its history, so after some very good detail from Albany I invested in Chateau Latour. I received a very nice certificate with all of my details on it and all of the relevant numbers. In that time, 2 years my investment has doubled which I am very pleased about
P AleyIt is always a pleasure dealing with APM. All its staff are very helpful, polite and knowledgeable and offer advice in a balanced manner. It is easy to trade (selling as well as buying!) and James and David are always happy to chat about my portfolio...
P Aley... Customer care is excellent. The latest and best wines are usually available with reasoned advice about why and when to purchase and at competitive prices. Thank you and well done APM!
I McKinnesAll of the APM team are highly professional and knowledgeable without a hint of the hard sell we have encountered elsewhere.
A FishleighI have been impressed by the advice received from my advisers in Albany Wine who combine a "gently gently" approach with professional fine wine expertise which has been very much appreciated. I would recommend them to other wine investors.
E PrzygrodzkiI was recommended APM by a friend and have now passed on my recommendations to my own friends as the number one company to use if you wish to invest in wine. The company has a sound backing offering the confidence an investor needs.