Bordeaux Wine Prices: Is Now a Great Time to Buy Bordeaux?
The fine wine market has always been dynamic, but there’s now an even more urgent reason to consider buying Bordeaux. On Sunday, July 27th, 2025, President Trump announced a 15% tariff on wines imported from the European Union, which is set to begin on Friday, August 1st. This move is expected to immediately raise wine prices on all Bordeaux wines entering the U.S., including wines already secured as futures.
Anyone who has purchased Bordeaux en primeur will now be required to pay this additional tariff, even on wine they've already committed to. This policy shift adds a new layer of cost and complexity, effectively making the current market the last chance to secure Bordeaux at pre-tariff pricing.
Despite previous market fluctuations, Bordeaux remains the most traded fine wine region globally by a wide margin. While Bordeaux wine prices spiked to record highs in 2022—fueled by low interest rates and strong international demand—those gains have since been erased, as shown in the chart below. Prices have now corrected to levels not seen since 2016–2018, and when adjusted for inflation, they appear even more attractive.
(Chart Source: Liv-Ex)
In short, this may be a fleeting window to buy top bottles before tariffs push Bordeaux wine prices significantly higher.
Have we reached the bottom of the market?
The quality of Bordeaux wines remains undisputed, and recent trends suggest a potential buying opportunity.
Recent en primeur campaigns have faced significant challenges. The 2022 en primeur Bordeaux wine prices were raised substantially, leaving many châteaux with unsold inventory as buyers balked at paying a massive premium for wines they wouldn’t receive for several years. Traditionally, en primeur offered collectors a chance to purchase wines at a discount before public release. However, recent years have seen some châteaux push Bordeaux wine prices higher than what the secondary market was willing to bear. This disconnect led many consumers to question the value proposition, especially when back-vintage, ready-to-drink wines were available at the same or even lower prices. As a result, the 2022 campaign was disappointing, leading to price reductions in 2023—though these adjustments still fell short of market expectations.
This presents a unique opportunity for collectors and investors: Bordeaux wine prices are now more affordable than they have been in years. Back-vintage and ready-to-drink wines from the region's top producers continue to receive high scores from reputable critics.
(Chart Source: Liv-Ex)
Consider the trendline for the triple 100-point 2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild. From 2018 to 2020, it traded at relatively stable prices. However, during the pandemic, it experienced a significant surge, with prices soaring by roughly 40%. Starting in June of 2023, prices declined sharply. This pattern is consistent for Bordeaux wine prices, and with the holiday season approaching, demand is likely to increase as consumers purchase gifts, suggesting that now may be an ideal time to start acquiring great Bordeaux.
"Super Second"
Accordingly, another value lies in the Super Second category, where consumers can acquire the best vintages for under $250. When examining legendary vintages like 2005, 2009, and 2010, several top 'Super Seconds' received multiple 100-point scores yet present a ready-to-drink wine, while the coveted First Growth Bordeaux is perfect for collecting, investing, or gifting. Ultimately, we encourage discerning collectors to strike while Bordeaux wine prices are low and add a few bottles to the cellar.