So, now that all the first growths except Lafite and Latour are out, at around £880 a case, the drum roll can start. What will Latour's ambitious director Frédéric Engerer ask for his wine, the acknowledged star of the vintage? It's bound to be more, and may just be a very limited tranche. All credit to the Ch Margaux regime for falling into line and not being rapacious. The other firsts will not be delighted if Latour breaks ranks.

But who, tell me who, is going to drink, as opposed to buy hoping to sell, these wines at these prices?

See correspondence on the subject of whether first growths are more or less expensive than they once were at Affording and drinking first growths.