Even if the coming of Spring seems to have taken a backwards step in the last few days, the release by a number of Chateaux of their opening prices means that at least we can be sure that the Bordeaux 2009 En Primeur season is well and truly underway. And as we get closer to the release of the top classed growth properties, rumours are flying around about what prices these are likely to open at, with even the unprecedented levels seen in 2005 seemingly likely to be trumped by the equally unprecedented rating by American critic Robert Parker of 18 wines at 98-100 points and a surge in interest by the Asian market.

So our recommendation for this vintage is as follows: the top wines of 2009 really are superb, but are going to be massively inflated in price by the influence of speculators - who depend on the interest of other speculators to keep prices strong and realise a profit on their investment - so, from a drinker's point of view, they really don't offer value for money.

However, the great thing about the 2009 vintage is that, as in 2005, quality is uniformly excellent across the region, meaning that even the traditionally lower level wines are fantastically concentrated, complex and ageworthy this year - and the lack of interest in these wines from the speculation market means that prices are also reasonable - and it is, therefore, the best of these wines that we will be recommending to our clients.

The first of these we're releasing is an old favourite of Wimbledon Wine Cellar - a wine that we as a company have bought and our clients have enjoyed drinking year in year out - and that offers something a little extra special this vintage - Chateau D'Agassac from Haut Medoc - reviewed by Steven Spurrier in Decanter Magazine as one of the top five wines he would like to add to his own cellar this year.

Chateau D'Agassac, Haut Medoc, 2009 £185 per case in bond
"Beautifully pure, with a delicate, perfumed nose showing a style with much in common with far more exalted wines from Margaux, followed by a soft, fleshy palate of blackcurrant, red fruits and cedary oak. Drink 2013 - 2020"

**Please note this is an en primeur offer and prices shown are in bond and, therefore, exclude import duty and VAT**