2. BWI Who we are...
Andy Lench became interested and involved in wine over 20 years ago, particularly Bordeaux Wines
and the classified growths which make up the predominance of the most appropriate wines for
investing in. Following this interest, Andy has established a highly successful business in the US
which predominantly imports and sells classified Bordeaux wine together with wines of other
French regions plus Italian, German and Spanish wines. This business includes En Primeur or wine
futures from Bordeaux.
Given the success of the U.S. business and enthused by his love of wine together with the benefits
he has personally seen, Andy decided to establish a company in the U.K. to provide similar
opportunities from a UK base.
During the past 20 years Andy has monitored the significant growth in value of Bordeaux wines –
both En Primeur and the older vintages. He has harnessed this growth in value with significant effect
both personally and for private individuals.
At the end of 2003, Andy was seeking to expand and develop BWI as the general market and
appetite for wine was growing significantly. It provided an opportunity for Andy to work with his
brother Robert, whom he appointed as Managing Director. Robert has built BWI significantly and
the growth in clients and turnover has been at a rate of over 22% per year since his appointment.
Robert had spent a 28 year career in the financial services industry during which he observed the
vagaries private investors suffered as a result of investing in more recognised areas. This experience
encompassed a range of financial services institutions, including as a main board director for a
major firm of stockbrokers.
During this career Robert observed the issues arising from the
volatility evident in the more recognised investment asset classes
and funds. At the same time, through a love of wine, developed
with his brother, Robert observed the greater stability and unique
opportunities arising from investing in wine. His background in
financial services has been a key element in the growth and
development of BWI and its range of services specifically directed
to private clients.
The combined expertise of Andy and Robert has encouraged them
to create a highly personalised and effective opportunity for
clients to benefit from investing in wine. The platform they have
established significant financial substance due to the backing and
liquidity of the parties to the arrangement.
BWI therefore has the correct pedigree, personnel & financial
stability to deliver a significant range of services to private clients
on a long term basis, with ongoing advice and support.
Bordeaux Wine Investments Limited
(BWI) was established by Andy Lench in
1998 following his success in the United
States with his company Bordeaux Wine
Locators.
The were many reasons for this
development, the main ones being to gain
access to the UK market where significant
stocks of older vintages were to be found
and the general recognition of London
being the centre of the secondary market
for Bordeaux fine wine.
A key element to establishing BWI was to
create a Company that is specifically
aimed at establishing wine opportunities
for private clients who seek to buy, collect,
consume and invest in fine Bordeaux
wines.
BWI Ltd
01732 779 343
www.bwiltd.co.uk
5. BWI Wine Investment Features
Company registered in England, Company No. 03611673 VAT Registration No. 719280329
Features of Wine Investment
A defined amount is produced each vintage, per chateaux.
A reducing supply (once it is being drunk).
It has become an ‘international currency', significantly enhancing the re‐sale value.
A 200 year price history.
General points
You can invest as little as £2,500, up to whatever amount you want ‐ we give the same excellent
service and advice for all investments.
Wine is a readily realizable asset but to achieve reasonable returns you should look to a minimum
period of three to five years.
Wine has a demonstrable record of growth in value.
Wine values are less volatile than other forms of investment, barring cash deposits.
There is no charge to capital gains or tax on sale of wines.
Wine is a non‐income producing asset therefore income tax is irrelevant.
01732 779 343
www.bwiltd.co.uk
Private Client Sales Team
simon@bwiltd.co.uk
martin@bwiltd.co.uk
11. BWI Broking Services
01732 779 343
www.bwiltd.co.uk
Private Client Sales Team
simon@bwiltd.co.uk
martin@bwiltd.co.uk
Company registered in England, Company No. 03611673 VAT Registration No. 719280329
At BWI our philosophy is to create a proactive advisory relationship with our clients.
What is essential for this service is the ongoing advice we offer, on optimum times for selling your wines or
advising of opportunities to capitalize on gains made.
Our personal and competitively priced service is a key to many of our client relationships.
Whether you have bought wine as an investment or with the intention of drinking it, you may be interested,
at some point, in selling cases you own. BWI is able to offer a comprehensive broking service for your wines:
We will provide you with a valuation for each wine, based on our market knowledge and the
condition of the bottles.
With your agreement to sell, we will then market the wines to our clients through the variety of
channels available to us. These include, hand selling to clients we know to have a particular
interest, targeted email offers and our website, which also feeds through to third party sites,
such as Winesearcher.com, for additional exposure.
Our pricing strategy aims to be competitive in the market so we generally experience relatively
high turnover of broking stocks for our clients. Other brokers may sometimes suggest higher sale
prices but not deliver in terms of selling the wine quickly for you.
We are happy to broker wines stored with BWI or elsewhere (i.e. LCB, Octavian, other
merchants), subject to the provision of documentary evidence that you are in possession of
ownership.
The process of selling is kept as simple for you as possible. We agree fixed sale prices and upon your
acceptance of our Broking Agreement, we market these for you. You will be notified upon sale of an item and
having transferred the wines to us, will receive payment, minus our 10% sales commission, 30 days from sale
and after we receive payment from the purchaser.
Whether it is wines purchased via BWI or stock already held – speak to our Private Client Team to discuss the
service and pricing of your wines.
12. BWI Frequently Asked Questions
Company registered in England, Company No. 03611673 VAT Registration No. 719280329
I don't know where to start, but want to invest in wine, what should I do?
Our team of experienced wine specialists are here to help you. Whether you are new to wine and want to start a small
investment, would like to purchase wine to drink, or are more experienced and require specific wines. We pride ourselves on
being easy to approach. We can guide you through the process and answer any questions that you have.
What does In Bond mean?
When a wine is stored In Bond the Duty and VAT has not yet been paid. This is ideal for investment wines, as they will also be
stored professionally, ensuring the value of the wine remains at its premium. Bonded warehouses must be approved by HM
Customs & Excise. Once out of bond the wine cannot return. See storage and insurance for more details.
Who is Robert Parker?
Robert Parker is a wine critic who has influenced serious wine purchasers since the 1980's, after introducing his own way of
evaluating the wines tasted through a point system. The wine regions that he covers are the Rhone Valley, Provence, Bordeaux
and California. His publication ‘The Wine Advocate' also includes reviews of other regions, by the following critics:
Antonio Galloni: Italy
Neal Martin: all regions
Jay Miller: Oregon, Washington, Spain, Australia, South America and Vintage Ports.
David Schildknecht: Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe, America's Eastern & Midwestern wineries, Alsace, Burgundy, the Loire
Valley, Languedoc‐Roussillon, Champagne, New Zealand and South Africa.
Mark Squires: Israel, Greece, Lebanon, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania.
Robert Parker devised a system to rate wines with scores out of one hundred: www.erobertparker.com
What is En Primeur?
This is a method of purchasing wine before it has been bottled. Each year following the harvest the chateaux of Bordeaux release
their new vintage ‘in barrel'; referred to as En Primeur ir futures. When purchasing En Primeur, the price quoted does not include
Duty or VAT.
What happens after I've purchased En Primeur wine?
Purchases of En Primeur are generally made one to two years before bottling (the exact time depends on the region). The most
commonly offered En Primeur wine comes from Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone Valley although many other regions,
including some New World wineries, are following suit. Port is also frequently offer in the same way.
Once the wine enters the UK, it may be stored in bond or, after payment of taxes, can be delivered. 01732 779 343
www.bwiltd.co.uk
Private Client Sales Team
simon@bwiltd.co.uk
martin@bwiltd.co.uk
13. BWI Frequently Asked Questions
Company registered in England, Company No. 03611673 VAT Registration No. 719280329
Why purchase wine En Primeur? What are the benefits?
Purchasing the wine at this stage opens up an investment opportunity, allowing an investor to buy the wine at the beginning of its
life before the value of the wine rises. It is also often possible to request non standard bottle sizes, for example Halves, Magnums
or larger formats. Buying en primeur offers the best assurance of provenance, as the purchaser can be confident of a wine's
storage history from day one.
Do I need to know alot about wine before I purchase En Primeur?
During the En Primeur season our team heads out to sample all the wines in Bordeaux to create our tasting reports. We obtain our
knowledge first hand so our clients can rely on our evaluation of each wine in the vintage. BWI are leading specialists in buying,
selling, broking and investing in fine wine. BWI can provide you with a high quality service. Offering the right advice, the right
sourcing, at the right time ‐ delivered to you from our team of professionals. See our En Primeur section for the latest En Primeur
wines available. Contact our team now for assistance and to answer your queries directly on: +44 (0) 1732 779 343
Where do you store the wines?
We store at London City Bond Tilbury, a well established warehouse with over 130 years experience. We have our own chamber
within LCB's Chill Store, a temperature controlled facility. See storage and insurance for more details.
Is the wine insured?
Wine stored by BWI is covered by London City Bond's insurance policy, and is insured to full replacement value.
I purchased my wine inclusive of Duty and VAT, how long will it take to be delivered?
This does depend on the wine you purchase, and where it is travelling from. It can be within 48hour but if it needs to be shipped
from overseas, it can take considerably longer. Please discuss this with your BWI representative at point of order and have your
postcode to hand. The delivery service we use is our storage facility, the delivery charge, days available and notice required for
deliveries varies by postcode.
Why are some items listed as Duty Paid only?
We have listed some items that have already been through the customs process ‐ once the wine is out of bond it cannot returned
to In Bond. Alternatively the wine selected is a wine intended for immediate drinking, for example Arlaux champagne.
I bought my wine In Bond last year. I am now ready to receive the wine; how should I do this?
Please notify the BWI logistics team, and they will create a sundry invoice for the duty and VAT and delivery on your wine. Once this
has been paid your delivery will then be processed.
01732 779 343
www.bwiltd.co.uk
Private Client Sales Team
simon@bwiltd.co.uk
martin@bwiltd.co.uk
14. Limited edition - D’Yquem Nebuchadnezzar’s
01732 779 343
www.bwiltd.co.uk
Private Client Sales Team
simon@bwiltd.co.uk
martin@bwiltd.co.uk
Company registered in England, Company No. 03611673 VAT Registration No. 719280329
Golden i
“He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had failed.”
William James (American Philosopher & Psychologist, leader of the philosophical movement of Pragmatism, 1842‐1910)
Chateau d’Yquem is the king of sweet wines therefore with declaration of the outstanding 2007 vintage, BWI
and BWL have again joined with the Chateau this year in their quest to achieve a second unique collector’s
opportunity. Following the success and continuing demand from the historical event in 2006 offering the
2005 vintage in the very first 100 Nebuchadnezzar’s of d’Yquem ever made. Interest has continued to grow
and all parties have been eagerly anticipating another superb vintage to qualify for the next release of 100
Nebuchadnezzar’s of Chateau d’Yquem. The next vintage considered to be worthy of this unique bottle
format, is the 2007 vintage. 2007 saw perfect conditions for the Sauternes and Barsac wines leading to
excellent wines produced in these appellations.
This limited edition of 100 Nebuchadnezzar’s will have a unique investment value, potentially making each
bottle one of the greatest wine investments of our time. With this in mind, we believe that every limited
edition of Chateau d'Yquem 15‐Litre Nebuchadnezzar, will make a magnificent cellar centrepiece, not to
mention the inherent investment potential. Each bottle will be individually numbered from one to one
hundred and the numbers will be allocated by means of a draw that will take place at the Château. They will
be presented in a beautiful wooden display case bearing a brass plaque with the bottle number on the front.
In addition, a certificate will accompany each bottle purchased.
Nebuchadnezzar ownership will automatically qualify you for membership of the d’Yquem CENTUM CLUB, an
exclusive club created to mark the union between BWI, BWL and d’Yquem, for the production of this exquisite
wine in this special format. There are a number of benefits to the membership; naturally the first benefit is all
current members will be offered the first opportunity to acquire each succeeding vintage that is bottled in the
15‐litre Nebuchadnezzar, together with various exclusive offers relating to d’Yquem.
Once the current members have had this opportunity, the 2007 Nebuchadnezzar bottles will then be offered
to the public. If you would like to be considered prior to the general offering, or would like further
information regarding an opportunity to acquire a Nebuchadnezzar please make yourselves known to the
team at BWI as soon as possible.
Further information regarding this exclusive offer is available.
15. Bordeaux 2008
En Primeur Review
Each year the BWI team head off to Bordeaux at the beginning of April, to taste and
experience the release of the next vintage, from the left to the right bank. Creating the BWI
En Primeur review, each wine tasted by the team first hand, together with the people
responsible for making them. An enviable task for some and a daunting task for others.
We’ve taken a few interesting elements from this year’s En Primeur report, for a flavour of
what we do. If you would like a full copy of this report, please drop us an email.
If you would like to register for our full report next year, register with us online, at:
www.bwiltd.co.uk
Bordeaux Wine Investments Limited
Website www.bwiltd.co.uk
Email: sales@bwiltd.co.uk
Telephone +44 (0) 1732 779343
2 The Mews 16 Holly Bush Lane
Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3TH
16. What is En Primeur?
In a nutshell, the term ‘En Primeur’ refers to the practice, by many chateaux, of offering
futures for a wine. That is to say, offering it for sale whilst it is still lying in barrel at the
property.
In Bordeaux, the previous year’s vintage (in this case 2008), is offered for purchase now,
with delivery being two years later.
Advantages of Buying En Primeur
In most cases, the lowest market price at which a wine will be offered is when it is
offered En Primeur
It is the only opportunity for a buyer to specify the format in which his case of wine
will be bottled. Increasing numbers of buyers are requesting large format bottles
(Magnum and bigger), as it is widely accepted that wines mature more slowly, and
perhaps better, in this way
It is possible that cases of wine may change hands many times during the course
of their life in bottle. The best way to ensure your wine has not criss-crossed the
globe is to buy En Primeur
Buying En Primeur from BWI
We understand that when buying En Primeur it is vitally important to have confidence in the
company you are buying from. Purchasing from BWI you can be safe in the knowledge that
we are experienced traders in primeurs, with long established relationships with all our
Bordeaux suppliers. BWI has been buying and advising in En Primeur successfully for 10
years – 2008 being the 10th
anniversary of the company.
We only buy primeurs from the most secure and trusted sources in Bordeaux.
Primeurs purchased from BWI are documented separately from our own stockholdings with
a clear audit trail and certification to identify ownership.
BWI
Website: www.bwiltd.co.uk
Email: sales@bwiltd.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1732 779343
Fax: +44 (0) 1732 469 393
2 The Mews, 16 Holly Bush Lane,
Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3TH England
Email: BWI Private Client Sales Team simon@bwiltd.co.uk
martin@bwiltd.co.uk
Page 7
17. The Effects of Weather
The climate during the 2007 growing period was to have
a profound effect on the vines going into the 2008
season. The quantity of embryonic bunches in a
vintage is predetermined by the conditions during the
flowering of the year before. Similarly, the vigour, with
which the vine completes it’s cycle of growth, is
determined by the period at ripening the previous
vintage. The cool damp conditions during flowering in
2007 resulted in the vines producing lower numbers of
proto-bunches for 2008. The equally poor conditions
during 2007’s veraison (the moment when the grapes
start to turn red) had the effect of reducing vigour. This
meant that throughout the 2008 growing period, every
stage happened slowly.
July was to be an important month and one which later became largely overlooked, as
everyone focussed on the disappointing Summer. July was cool but sunny and dry. During
this important time, the grapes start to develop their phenolic ripeness (the compounds
responsible for flavours and tannins). Without this fine period, the grapes may not have
been in such a good position to capitalise on the later Autumnal sunshine, after Summer’s
unhelpful conditions.
Mildew was less of a problem this year than last. Partly, this was due to the smaller crop,
making it easier for air to circulate and dry the bunches but also vignerons were better
prepared and had sprayed in good time. Another effect of the slow and erratic flowering
and fruit set was to be variable ripening, not only between communes or estates but even
within bunches on the same vine. Green harvesting and canopy management were more
important than ever, to ensure that the remaining small crop was allowed to ripen to it’s
optimum.
It was mid September by the time the weather changed for the better. After months of
depression (in the weather systems and no doubt amongst the vignerons), warm sunny
days arrived and were to stay right through until the very late harvests that were to take
place towards the end of October and in some cases even into early November. It is no
overstatement to say this was the shot in the arm that not only saved the vintage from the
brink of disaster but actually allowed it to become very successful for those who had
invested in the vineyard throughout the year.
Vines in snow at Chateau Rauzan Segla
Page 4
18. THE WINES
Pessac Léognan
Le Clarence de Haut Brion
Subdued aromas of baked bananas.
Liquorice, blackcurrant and black cherry. Excellent concentration and extract. Balanced
and focussed, with good depth and length. 10-12 years. 90-92pt
Haut Brion
Subtle floral notes. Plum skins coming through.
Ripe tannins with good balance and more complexity than the La Mission. Gentle and
refined, with a mix of red and black fruits and a hint of mocha on the finish. Not a
blockbuster but should age gracefully for 20-30+ years. 93-95pt
La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion
Hints of cherry and roasted meats.
Red fruits dominate the palate. Higher acidity than the Clarence. Drier tannins, too. As this
settles down, it will resolve into a particularly elegant and feminine example. 10-12+ years.
89-91pt
La Mission Haut Brion
This is a little more open, exhibiting cherry conserve and floral notes. Less power than the
Haut Brion, less austere too. Fresh fruit compote follows through from the nose to the
palate. Creamier, more rounded and voluptuous. 15-20 years. 92-94pt
Haut Bailly
Currants with sweet oak and perfume on the nose.
A fleshy, succulent palate that offers creamy-textured flavours of cherries and menthol. A
medium bodied wine, with a restrained, long finish. 90-92pt
Pape Clement
A deep, saturated purple colour.
Blackcurrant scented nose with roasted herbs and lead pencil.
Concentrated black fruit flavours on the palate with excellent purity. Medium bodied with
elegance and class. 91-93pt
Page 8
The BWI team tasting at La Mission Haut Brion
19. BORDEAUX WINE INVESTMENTS LIMITED ('the Company')
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
Set out below are the terms and conditions of sale which shall apply to all contracts for the
sale of wines by the Company to you to the exclusion of all other terms and conditions
including any terms or conditions which you may purport to apply under any purchase order
confirmation of order or similar document.
PRICES
Prices set out in any brochure, price list or any other literature of the Company are in pounds sterling
excluding value added tax (VAT) and delivery charges and are for guidance purposes only. All prices
are subject to change and should be checked with the Company at the point of order. On acceptance
of the order the Company will confirm the price payable.
PAYMENT
Payment is required in full (including VAT and delivery charges if any) within 30 days of the date of
invoice (unless otherwise agreed) prior to the wine being released to you. The Company reserves the
right to cancel any order if payment is not received in full within thirty days of the invoice and interest
shall be charged at the annual rate of 3% above the base rate from time to time of Barclays Bank plc.
Such interest will accrue on a daily basis from the date on which payment become overdue up to the
date on which the Company receives the full outstanding amount together with accrued interest.
DELIVERY
Arrangements can be made for your order to be delivered anywhere within mainland Great Britain.
Details of delivery charges, times and availability can be obtained from the Company direct.
TITLE
All wines remain the property of the Company until payment is received in full.
ORDERS
i. All orders for wines shall be deemed to be an offer by you to purchase the wines pursuant to
these Terms and Conditions.
ii. Receipt of an invoice from the Company will constitute acceptance of your order pursuant to these
Terms and Conditions.
iii Any variation to these Terms and Conditions (including any special terms and conditions) shall be
inapplicable unless agreed in writing.
RISK
i. On the payment of invoices in full the risk in the wines ordered will pass from the Company to you
(with the exception of wines purchased En Primeur) and they will be available for immediate
collection or delivery from the Company's storage facility at London City Bond Tilbury.
Page 22
20. STORAGE
ii. Wines ordered will be held at London City Bond for a period of one month from the receipt of
payment of invoices in full, (with the exception of wines purchased En Primeur). After this period
the wines ordered will be cellared at a charge of £7.60 per case per year (subject to change)
payable when wines are collected, delivered or resold (as the case may be) in accordance with
these Terms and Conditions.
CANCELLATION OF ORDER BY THE COMPANY
i.(a) If payment in full has not been received by the Company within 30 days of the invoice date, or
(b) Prior to such time limit you notify the Company that payment in full will not be made or
(c)The wines ordered have not been collected or delivered (as the case may be) within three
months of payment being received in full, or
(d)Prior to such time limit you notify the Company that the wines will not be collected or delivered
(as the case may be)
The Company shall be entitled to send notice to the invoice address of its intention at the expiry of
ten days from the date of notice, to deal with, sell or otherwise dispose of the wines ordered.
ii. In re-sales of the wines where full payment has not been received by the Company (per i(a) or (b)
above) a credit will be made to offset any indebtedness you have to the Company including any
accrued interest and storage charges (as applicable), less a 20% administration charge (plus VAT).
In the event that the credit is insufficient to offset your full indebtedness the outstanding balance
will remain payable by you and will continue to accrue interest at the rate set out in these Terms
and Conditions.
iii. The existence of this right does not affect any other remedies that the Company may have against
you.
LIABILITY
All warranties and conditions either implied by statue or otherwise are excluded from these Terms
and Conditions. Provided that nothing shall restrict or exclude liability for death or personal injury
caused by the negligence of the Company or affect your statutory rights as a consumer.
FORCE MAJEURE
The Company shall not be liable for any failure to meet its obligations under these Terms and
Conditions occasioned by circumstances beyond its control.
OVERSEAS ORDERS
The time limits for exports stipulate that goods must be transported to a destination outside the EC
by the last day of the third month following that which the goods are purchased or will be liable for UK
VAT
ASSIGNMENT
The Company may licence or sub-contract all or any part of its rights and obligations under this
contract without your consent.
LAW
All contracts made in pursuance of these Terms and Conditions are made under English Law and
are subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
BANK DETAILS
Sterling & Euro account details on order.
Page 23