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Masseto 2021 and Chevel des Andes lead hors Bordeaux launches
The hors Bordeaux campaign is off to a flying start with Opus One, Massetto, Cheval des Andes and Almaviva already released in the first full week of the campaign.
Following Domaine de Baronarques, the first to be released last Friday, an “absolutely gorgeous” (according to Antoni Galloni) California’s Opus One hit the market on Monday (2 September). Released at €250 per bottle ex-négoce, or available to the international trade at £3,000 per case, this was “reasonable” pricing, according to Liv-ex, coming off the back of the library release of the 2018 and 2019 vintages last year – in place of the wildfire-impacted 2020 vintage. Although they launched at higher price than today’s release, both have since drifted downwards and are available on the market slightly lower than today’s 2021 release price.
Italy’s Masseto 2021 hit the market on Tuesday, released via La Place at €465 per bottle ex- négociant – the same price as last year’s release. Described by Galloni as “the most exquisite, refined young Masseto” he had ever tasted – with a score of 100. Db’s Colin Hay awarded it 99 points, calling it “radiant in its incredible dynamism and energy, very special”, although a “slight suggestion of alcohol on the finish keeps this from attaining perfection”. However other critics erred on a more cautious approach, with Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner awarding it only 95 points.
A “luscious layered and nuanced” Cheval des Andes 2021 from Argentian has also been released through La Place, offered at £660 per case of 12 to the international trad. Although this marks a a reduction of nearly 18% (17.9%) on last year’s £804 opening price, it is still at a small premium compared to other vintages in the market, according to Liv-ex, notably the 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages. db’s Colin Hay awarded it 97 points, caling it “beautiful” and “quite Cheval Blanc in style and feel”.
Another South American icon, Chile’s Almaviva 2022 was also released, today, at €115 per bottle ex-négociant. This was around 6% (5.7%) on the 2021 release of €122 per bottle. However, with an international trade offer at £1,392 per case of 12, this is, according to Liv-ex, “one of the more expensive vintages available on the market”, with the 2018, 2020 and 2021 all offering better value as some of the cheapest vintages from Almaviva on the market. It is, according to db’s Colin Hay, “spicier than the 2021… a real vin de garde“, which he called “very impressive”.
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The story of Almaviva part II: La Place and the market