Ending months of intense speculation Chateau Lafite is the first of the Bordeaux First Growths to release its price for the 2005 vintage.

Adam Lechmere reports in Decanter.com that the chateau has released 40% of last year's quantity at €300 per bottle. Negociants are selling that on to merchants at between €360 and €375. At €360 per bottle, or €4,320 per case, it will be one of the most expensive releases ever. It is a 275% increase on last year's price.

And that is just the first tranche. Three or four other batches will follow, each with a hike in price. When all the wine is released, the price increase should make Decanter.com's February prediction that the first growths would be 300% up look conservative.

The St Emilion premier grand cru classe Ausone is predicted to be the most expensive wine in Bordeaux this year.

For the complete story and more updates, go to www.decanter.com

( Hyperlink: www.decanter.com/news/87126.html )