Questions and Answers about En Primeur Wine

What are En primeur Wines?

En primeur wines, sometimes called wine futures, is a way for anyone to buy the most highly-demanded Bordeaux wines 1-2 years before they are bottled and released on the market. Essentially, you purchase the wine while still in the barrel, and the Chateau will age it for you before release 1 to 2 years later.
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What are the benefits of buying En primeur Wine?

Even if you aren't a wine professional, you can still benefit from buying wine before it is bottled and released on the market. The biggest advantage of buying En primeur Wine is price. The en primeur price is almost always lower than the release price on the market. Buying en primeur wine also allows you to buy the most highly demanded wines that may be virtually impossible to find when they are released on the market in a variety of different formats from half bottles to Nebuchadnezzar. In addition, when you purchase en primeur wines from Millesima, you are guaranteed to receive wines of pristine provenance and in their original wooden cases if available. Special occasions are also a major reason why en primeur wines are purchased. En primeur wines can make the perfect gift to celebrate births, weddings, anniversaries, or other milestones such as graduations or retirement.
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What is the timing of the en primeur campaign?

After En primeur/Futures week, which occurs every year after harvest in the late spring, prices will start releasing at any time. It is very unpredictable and no one knows when the wines will be released, so it’s very important to stay alert! A campaign that starts in mid-April can finish, for example, around mid-July, with variations according to vintage. The campaign concludes when each estate has released its prices.

When are En primeur wines shipped?

Delivery usually takes place 2 years after the wine has been released, typically between the months of December to May, though we cannot guarantee a specific delivery delay. The exact delivery time depends on the chateau's bottling date and format ordered. For example, large formats are typically bottled after smaller formats. Please inquire with Millesima for more details.

When is payment due? What do I pay for shipping or tax?

The payment corresponding to the balance of the wine is due upon purchase. Once the wine has been bottled and is ready for delivery, we will contact you to organise payment of the corresponding amount of VAT and duties.

What are the risks?

As with any major investment, risks are involved in purchasing en primeur wines, but they are very minimal, especially when purchasing wine from Millesima. Since Millesima is an established Bordeaux negociant since 1982, we only purchase wine directly from the chateaux and will only sell the wine that we own.

When purchasing from Millesima:

• There is no chance of receiving a counterfeit wine
• Wine is guaranteed to be delivered
• Wine will be in pristine condition in the original wooden case, if available for that particular Chateau.

How can I learn more about a wine before I buy it?

Every year, our team participates in the en primeur week tastings in Bordeaux and we are always eager to share our experiences with you. We are glad to share our tasting notes with you. Additionally, wine critics, journalists, other professionals in the wine industry post copious amounts of information during the en primeur campaign.

What happens if I move before the delivery?

Millesima will contact you to arrange delivery when the wine become available. At that time, we will confirm all information including the delivery address. However you can always contact us to provide your new details especially if you change your email address and/or phone number.

What happens if I change my mind before the delivery?

Wines purchased as En primeur are non-refundable and purchases cannot be cancelled for a full refund. Please see terms and conditions