Chateau d'Yquem has held back from releasing the 2011 vintage en primeur at this time, saying that it would prefer to hold off and release at a time that "suits the excellence of the wine in this vintage", director Pierre Lurton said.

Many regard Chateau d'Yquem to be one of the best vintages of the year, and has been revered by most critics as standing apart from its counterparts. Despite this, Mr Lurton has decided to hold back on its release, saying in a letter to Bordeaux wine merchants that he will hold the wine back due to the ‘delicate context’ of the 2011 campaign.

According to Decanter.com, the sluggish nature of the 2011 campaign is one that Mr Lurton doesn’t want to be a part of, chiefly because he is unwilling to drop the price as severely as many of the other estates in Bordeaux. Rather, the estate will hold on to the wine until a more favourable selling climate is created for the release of a very good wine.

He told Decanter.com: "There is no question that we are following the example of Latour, or legitimising their commercial decision.

"We are not withdrawing Yquem from the en primeur system, it is simply that we feel this is not the right moment."