One of America' most prominent and outspoken collectors of rare and fine wines refuses to buy 2005 Bordeaux First Growth futures because "he prices are insane," reports Harry Goldberg on Decanter.com. The collector, Charles Klatskin, Chairman of Lee & Klatskin Associates, a New Jersey industrial and commercial estate company, said he was buying less-expensive Bordeaux futures.

"I have been buying First Growth futures for the last 16 years, and have been reasonably selective as to which years I buy," he said. "This year I am not buying any because the prices are insane."

Klatskin is a familiar bidder and seller at Zachys and NYWines/Sotheby's wine auctions and a regular participant in major wine events. Serena Sutcliffe, who heads Sotheby's international wine department, described the collector as "a committed Bordeaux man." Klatskin said chateaux should benefit from good vintages, but the 2005 opening prices are senseless. "The prime example of outrageousness is Yquem's US$8,000," he said.

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