The September releases are now in full swing with wines from Tuscany, Napa Valley and Spain generating the most interest.
September’s Releases 2024 Highlights
Expectation from Tuscany are always high and this year again, the wines performed very well. Decanter Magazine noted “The standouts from Italy were the Siepi and Concerto 2022s from the Mazzei family’s Castello di Fonterutoli in Tuscany (about £70-£80 each), along with reliable white and red releases from Giovanni Rosso in both Etna and Barolo”. Another gem from Tuscany is wine connoisseur's favourites Testamatta from Bibi Graetz which received 97 points from Decanter and described as "singing, and has closed the gap to Colore in 2022". Both Siepi, Concerto and Testamatta deliver tremendous quality and are available at a fraction of the price of Super-Tuscan big boys Sassicaia, Ornellaia or Solaia.
Outside Tuscany, Napa is the region to watch. Last year, many wineries did not release any wines due to the wildfires that impacted the harvest but we are pleased to confirm the 2021 vintage is stunning. It is a “very modern and a perfect combination of classic Napa ripeness made in an era of freshness” as stated by Jean-Quentin Prats, CEO of Joanne Rare Wines. Opus One, Quintessa, Inglenook’s Rubicon and Favia’s Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon have all been very well received by critics.
Highest Scores
Rising star Galatrona is one of the highlights of the year receiving 100 points from James Suckling and available at £77 per bottle IB. The renown critic gave the same score to Bibi Graetz Colore, "perfection in Sangiovese", which previous vintage was already awarded the same score from Jane Anson. Cult Wine Masseto and Solaia are the only ones to have received the perfect scores from Antonio Galloni alongside Opus One which received it from Jane Anson.
Best Values
Spain is also under the spotlights offering some of the best value this year. Adega Algueira’s 2020 Dolio from Ribeira Sacra has been referred as “Probably the most Burgundian of Spanish wines” in Decanter. It is simply a unique wine and could become an icon. This is one of the two Decanter’s value picks alongside Telmo Rodríguez’s 2021 Viñedos de Matallana - a “superb classical Ribera del Duero with ripeness, concentration, balance and elegance and the freshness from a cooler year” as described in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Magazine. Both are available for less than £50 IB a bottle and have tremendous potential.
Fianlly, South America is still a source a fantastic value wine. From Argentina, Cheval des Andes was released at £55 IB and received an average score of 97.5 points. A blend of Malbec and Bordeaux varietals, this wine is a pioneer of cool-climate and high-altitude winemaking. It was born from the of the union between Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes. Second wines also offer incredible value. Chilean Rocas de Seña and Epu, respectively Seña and Almaviva’s little brothers, are both brilliant an affordable wines.