Whatever the asset is, we all want the best! Which is why you need to know which wines the key critics rated 'perfect' in 2023.
Why quality is key to wine investment
Quality underpins the value of all investments. Where supply and demand shape the mrket, quality delivers the goods. But how do we understand quality in fine wine? Our experience of wine is unique to each one of us. We expect quality from the world’s top winemakers, but how is that qualified for investors and the market as a whole?
Trust is a huge aspect of understanding quality and value of wine. Merchants, investors, and consumers have come to rely on the expert opinions of a few, trusted, world-renowned critics. Their quality reviews are so significant, they can influence demand and the value of fine wine.
The critics' influence has even extended to the vineyard, as growers have refined their wines to please their judge's palate. The pre-eminent Robert Parker Jnr was noted as the first to coerce such a response from producers.
In 2023, thousands of wines have been appraised by key wine critics, but 145 quality reviews from the most noted critics’ publications granted 121 wines the perfect 100-point score. Wines awarded 100 points are always worthy of investor attention, and for some a key criterion for investment.
Of the world’s top fine wine growing regions, Bordeaux is recognised as the most prolific producer of top-quality investment wines. The volume of great quality wines produced makes the role of the critic as a definer of quality even more important as a guide to the market.
Regional productivity of 100-point wines
| Region | No. of 100 point wines in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Bordeaux | 91 |
| USA - California | 27 |
| Burgundy | 13 |
| Australia | 4 |
| Italy - Piedmont | 3 |
| Spain | 3 |
| USA - Washington | 2 |
| Champagne | 1 |
| Italy - Tuscany | 1 |
This year’s regional spread of perfect wines reveals how very rare they are and of course the ratings are influenced by access to the wines for critics in any 12-month period. Perhaps one of the more surprising revelations is the level of quality in California and the number of perfect wines produced there.
Spain, Australia and Washington State wines achieving 100 points is also notable. Perfection is highly desirable, but for investors this is when we need to consider the economic factors; is there demand in the market, what about supply and liquidity?
Bordeaux is evidently outstanding. It dominates global fine wine productivity when it comes to quality and the volume of it. A total 91 of the region’s wines were rated as ‘perfect’ this year. A whopping 62.7% of the world’s 100-pointers rated by the top critics in 2023.
Top 10 producers of perfect wines in 2023
| Producer | Appellation | 100 Point Wines |
|---|---|---|
| Cheval Blanc | St Emilion | 9 |
| Montrose | St Estephe | 8 |
| Lafite Rothschild | Pauillac | 6 |
| D'Yquem | Sauternes | 5 |
| Petrus | Pomerol | 5 |
| Canon | St Emilion | 4 |
| Mouton Rothschild | Pauillac | 4 |
| Trotanoy | Pomerol | 4 |
| Vieux Chateau Certan | Pomerol | 4 |
| Ausone | St Emilion | 3 |
The producers granted the most 100-point scores from the key critics this year were all Bordeaux icons. LVMH-owned Chateau Cheval Blanc has been the most prolific producer of perfection recorded at tastings in 2023 with wines from seven vintages achieving the top rating. These are the magnificent 1982, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2020 and 2022.
The newest vintage was tasted during this Spring’s en primeur campaign. The 2022 vintage is highlighted as being potentially extraordinary and three of the vintage’s wines achieved the highest number of 100-point scores from the critics.
Investment wines with the most 100-points
| Wine | Vintage | Appellation | Critic scoring 100 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chateau Trotanoy | 2020 | Pomerol | 8 |
| Chateau Canon | 2020 | St Emilion | 6 |
| Chateau Margaux | 2022 | Margaux | 5 |
| Chateau Mouton Rothschild | 2022 | Pauillac | 5 |
| Chateau Lafite Rothschild | 2022 | Pauillac | 4 |
| Vieux Chateau Certan | 2020 | Pomerol | 4 |
Should you invest in 'perfect' wines now?
The latest secondary market data from Liv-ex suggests that buyers are continuing to apply downward pressure on prices. The regional indices all record further softening in October, except for the Liv-ex California 50, which nudged up 0.3% in the month.
The stall in decline in Champagne prices in September proved to be temporary and overall across all regions there has been an average slip in prices of 1.4% in October in the 1000 most traded wines on Liv-ex.
Prices at these levels continue to attract a growing number of buyers and the volume and value of trade on the exchange rose again for the fourth consecutive month. Investors should seek out those 100-point wines that are priced well for future growth due to the general market conditions and do not reflect the quality of the wine.
For more information, see our latest market report and speak to a member of our expert team on 0203 384 2262.