La Place new campaign: muted reception

Early releases of international fine wines via La Place de Bordeaux in September saw a relatively muted buyer reaction, several merchants have said.

- COMPILED BY CHRIS MERCER

Bordeaux négociants kicked off the annual September releases campaign with superstar names, including Napa's Opus One 2022 (97pts, Decanter; £1,410 per 6x75cl in bond, Bordeaux Index), plus SuperTuscans Masseto 2022 and Solaia 2022.

It was too soon to fully judge the campaign as Decanter went to press, but Miles Davis, market expert at Vinum Fine Wines, said initial demand was relatively muted. Last year’s Opus One 2021 release sold very well in a tough market, he said. ‘This year... we've sold a bit [of the 2022 vintage].’ He said some buyers also pounced on new stocks of Château Haut-Brion 2014, released early September. ‘It’s one of the cheapest mature vintages [of Haut-Brion] on the market,’ Davis noted.

Robert Mathias MW, senior buyer for Lay & Wheeler, praised Opus One for releasing its 2022 wine as one of the cheapest available vintages. He said economic headwinds continued to affect consumer demand in general, but early successes from the September campaign included Seña 2023 (99pts, Decanter); ‘a wine of real quality at a reasonable price [£360 per 6x75cl in bond]’.

Commenting more broadly, Geraint Carter, of Bordeaux Index, said La Place de Bordeaux’s September campaigns have struggled to generate excitement among the merchant's clients. Nevertheless, the quality of the wines is top-drawer.