The campaign now more commonly referred to as The September Releases has become known variously as the “Icons”, “Beyond Bordeaux”, “La Place Late Releases”, “The Contenders”, “The Outsiders”, and represents a collection of wines offered by the Bordeaux-based negotiant system La Place from late August through to early October.
Originally these were focussed on Napa estates but broadened out to include Tuscany and the Americas more generally, with wines tending to be based on Bordeaux varieties, which would make sense given the experience and networks of La Place.
However as more wines from different regions are added each year the offering becomes more complex. 2022 saw Spain’s first releases (Yjar and Vivaltus) and also Australia’s (Penfolds Bin 169) as well as the first Brunello (Poggio Antico). 2023 brought new releases from as far afield as Barolo, Bandol, Austria, Etna and the Rhone, and in 2024 we’ve been told to look out for more newcomers.
So, we expect another busy Icons campaign!
Our Approach
As the September Releases continue to grow in volume, naturally it raises questions about the campaign itself. Last year there were as many as 90 wines released, significantly more than the handful or so released back in 2018.
At Honest Grapes we will offer a focussed selection of those wines that are typically worth buying on release, such as Opus One and Masseto. There are also plenty of iconic wines released outside of the La Place network during September, so we are looking forward to offering the new vintages from Tuscan superstars Castello di Ama and IPSUS (both 100 pointers), among others.
Just like our Bordeaux En Primeur campaigns then, we will be rather more selective than most, only offering those releases we believe are sufficiently thrilling and good value to present to you.
Below you will find a calendar of those wines which are on our radar and we are likely to offer, depending on price. It's a cracking line-up this year, with impressive scores (helped especially by the Napa 2021s which represent a strong return to form).
Calendar
2 September: Opus One 2021 (99 JS), Overture 2021
3 September: Masseto 2021 (100 VN), Massetino 2022 (97 DEC), Cheval des Andes 2021 (98 JS), Vin de Constance 2021 & Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2022
4 September: Almaviva 2022 (99 JS)
5 September: Seña 2022 (98 JS), Solaia 2021 (100 VN)
6 September: Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (96 JS), Iglenook Rubicon 2021 (98 JS)
9 September: Jim Barry "The Armagh" 2021, Wynns John Riddoch 2021
10 September: Latour 2009 (100 JA, 100 WA, 100 JD, 100 LPB, 100 YB)
11 September: Petrolo Galatrona 2022 (100 JS), Concerto 2022 (95 VN), Siepi 2022 (96 WA)
12 September: Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2022 (98 JS), Bibi Graetz Colore 2022 (100 JS), Vina Cobos 2021, Caiarossa 2021 (96 JS), Orma 2022 (97 JS)
16 September: Maya 2021 (97 JS), BV Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve G. De Latour 2021 (98+ JD), Quintessa 2021
17 September: Pym Rae 2020 (96 JS), Favia Cerro Sur 2021 (98 JD), Favia Coombsville 2021 (98 LPB), Favia Oaksville 2021 (99 JD)
18 September: Yjar 2020 (96+ WA), Matallana 2021 (97 WA), De La Riva, San Cayetano 2023
23 September: Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae 2021 (99 JS), Nicolas Catena Zapata 2021 (97 JS)
24 September: Zuccardi Finca Canal Uco 2021
25 September: Vinedo Chadwick 2022 (98 JS)