{"title":"September Fine Wine Releases","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBordeaux, But Not as You Know It. September on La Place brings some of the world’s great wines to Bordeaux — and the releases have begun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThere’s something rather interesting happening in Bordeaux right now — and, unusually, much of it has nothing to do with Bordeaux wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt’s the September releases from \u003cb\u003eLa Place de Bordeaux\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSo, what exactly is La Place?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eLa Place de Bordeaux isn’t a physical marketplace. It’s the historic network of châteaux, courtiers and négociants that has traded and distributed Bordeaux wine around the world for centuries. Its origins stretch back hundreds of years, with Bordeaux’s merchants building an extraordinary international network for getting wine from the region into markets across the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eFor much of its history, La Place was all about Bordeaux. That began to change in \u003cb\u003e1998\u003c\/b\u003e, when \u003cb\u003eAlmaviva\u003c\/b\u003e became the first wine from outside Bordeaux to be distributed through the system. \u003cb\u003eOpus One\u003c\/b\u003e followed in 2004, and over the years an increasingly impressive collection of producers from Italy, California, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and elsewhere has joined them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eToday, September has become the time when many of these great wines of the world release their latest vintages through La Place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAnd that’s happening now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eFor us, it means the opportunity to secure these wines \u003cb\u003eon release and direct through Bordeaux\u003c\/b\u003e. Some are tightly allocated, and for many this is the best opportunity to secure them before they make their way into the wider market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe’re buying throughout the campaign and have scheduled an October shipment for everything that is ready, which we expect to arrive in New Zealand in December.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"opus-one-750ml","title":"Opus One 2023 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA beautifully composed Opus One, opening with red cherry, elderberry, cassis and red plum, with the fruit feeling bright, fresh and remarkably precise. There’s impressive concentration underneath, but the 2023 is defined as much by its elegance and energy as it is by its depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend at 81%, joined by 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Cherry blossom and dried violet bring a floral lift, while graphite, forest floor, tobacco and vanilla add complexity. On the palate, cassis and elderberry are joined by black pepper, chocolate-covered orange peel and sweet oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpus One was founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi, with the ambition of combining Napa richness with the structure and refinement of great Bordeaux. The 2023 was matured for 19 months in French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilky tannins give the wine a polished, seamless texture, while a bright line of freshness carries everything through to a long finish. This is an Opus One that manages to feel serious and structured without becoming heavy – impressive now, but very much built for the cellar. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opus One","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51912039465260,"sku":null,"price":677.27,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Opusone.png?v=1789273995"},{"product_id":"opus-overture-750ml","title":"Opus Overture 2023 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wonderfully inviting Napa red, with blueberry, blackberry and blackcurrant leading into juicy red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate and wild strawberry. There is real depth of fruit here, but Overture 2023 remains fresh, supple and immediately approachable.\u003cbr\u003eMade from organically grown fruit from the Opus One estate vineyards, the 2023 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend – 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Malbec. Sweet cedar, fresh flowers and a subtle touch of caramel sit behind the fruit without overwhelming it.\u003cbr\u003eThe wine spends 19 months in French oak following 22 days of maceration. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, with fine tannins and fresh acidity giving definition to the generous fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverture is made with the same attention to detail as Opus One, but its personality is deliberately more accessible. The 2023 captures that beautifully – polished, generous and easy to enjoy now, while still possessing the structure and length to reward time in the cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opus One","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51912039563564,"sku":null,"price":356.2,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Overture.png?v=1789274272"},{"product_id":"sena-2023-750ml","title":"Seña 2024 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA beautifully vibrant Seña, led by raspberry and black cherry fruit with a freshness that makes the 2024 immediately compelling. The red and dark fruit is bright and pure, lifted by rosehip and floral notes that give the wine an elegant, almost weightless quality despite its underlying depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend comprises 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec, 16% Carménère and 6% Petit Verdot. Rosemary brings a subtle herbal note alongside the fruit and florals, while polished tannins provide a refined framework. The palate flows effortlessly, combining freshness and depth with a long, lifted finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeña was created by Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi with the ambition of producing a world-class Chilean red with its own identity. Its 42-hectare vineyard in the Aconcagua Valley enjoys a slightly cooler climate than many traditional Chilean red wine regions, allowing for slower ripening and helping preserve freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 was fermented in a combination of stainless steel and concrete before ageing for 18 months, 70% in French oak barrels and 30% in foudres. This is a particularly elegant expression of Seña – polished and structured, but driven by freshness, perfume and beautifully defined fruit. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sena","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51912039596332,"sku":null,"price":199.78,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Sensa.png?v=1789274891"},{"product_id":"vin-de-constance-klein-constantia-2023","title":"Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia  2023 (500ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the world’s great sweet wines, and the 2023 Vin de Constance is a beauty – intensely aromatic with apricot, ripe peach, guava and grilled pineapple at its core. The fruit is wonderfully concentrated, moving into dried apricot and citrus, with a luscious texture balanced by a bright line of freshness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2023 vintage brought a higher proportion of botrytis than usual, adding an exotic richness and complexity to the wine. Layers of honey, caramel, tarte tatin and gentle spice emerge alongside notes of lime, fennel and a subtle savoury character. It is undeniably rich and sweet, yet the acidity keeps everything lifted, fresh and remarkably composed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMade from Muscat, the wine was macerated on skins before fermentation and matured in a combination of new and seasoned oak, followed by further ageing in large oak casks. At 162g\/L residual sugar, there is considerable concentration, but sweetness never overwhelms the fruit or freshness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a particularly impressive release of Vin de Constance – generous, complex and beautifully balanced, with the depth to evolve for many years. Jane Anson awarded the 2023 a perfect 100 points, describing a wine of exceptional balance and grace, while James Suckling rated it 99 points and called it one of the estate’s best ever. Delicious now for its exuberant fruit and richness, but very much a wine that can be cellared.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vin de Constance","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54058883973420,"sku":null,"price":138.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/VindeConstance_KleinConstantia.png?v=1745986871"},{"product_id":"inglenook-rubicon-rutherford-napa-cabernet","title":"Inglenook Rubicon Rutherford, Napa, Cabernet 2023 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is Napa Cabernet at its most compelling – deep, vibrant and loaded with cassis, bilberry and dark berry fruit. There’s plenty of concentration, but the fruit remains fresh and energetic, giving the wine a sense of lift despite its impressive scale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe palate is powerful and beautifully structured, with layers of dark fruit joined by espresso, dark chocolate, liquorice and new leather. Firm, finely drawn tannins provide the framework, while the generosity of the fruit keeps everything balanced and inviting. There is real intensity here, but also poise – nothing feels overdone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRubicon is Inglenook’s flagship red, and the 2023 captures both the richness associated with Rutherford Cabernet and the freshness of an excellent Napa vintage. It is still a very young wine, with its structure and complexity only beginning to emerge, but there is already plenty to admire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJane Anson awarded the 2023 Rubicon 98 points, noting its concentration, fleshy cassis and bilberry fruit, firm tannic structure and considerable ageing potential. Built for the cellar, this should develop beautifully over the coming decades, while retaining the generous fruit that makes great Napa Cabernet so enjoyable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Inglenoock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54058902552876,"sku":null,"price":294.74,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Rubicon.png?v=1789164903"},{"product_id":"marchesi-antinori-solaia-2023-750ml","title":"Marchesi Antinori Solaia 2023 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA brilliant release of one of Tuscany’s most celebrated wines, the 2023 Solaia opens with dark cherry, blackberry, cassis and wild forest berries, giving it an immediate sense of richness and energy. The dark fruit is beautifully defined rather than heavy, with blood orange adding a brighter, more lifted edge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCabernet Sauvignon leads the blend, joined by Cabernet Franc and a smaller proportion of Sangiovese. The palate is full and generous, with layers of graphite, chocolate, cedar, leather, mint and dried herbs unfolding around the fruit. Fine-grained tannins give the wine its structure, while a subtle savoury and saline character brings freshness and definition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSolaia comes from a single vineyard on the same hillside as Tignanello, at around 350–400 metres above sea level in the heart of Chianti Classico. The vineyard’s elevation helps preserve freshness, something that is particularly evident in 2023. Despite the warmth and concentration of the vintage, this remains poised and precise, with impressive purity and a long, savoury finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is plenty of power here, but it is the balance that makes the 2023 so compelling. The texture is velvety, the tannins beautifully integrated and the fruit remains fresh throughout. Already expressive, this will become more complex and nuanced with time in bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe critics have been particularly enthusiastic about the vintage. James Button of Decanter awarded it 98 points, while Colin Hay gave it 98+, describing the 2023 as potentially the greatest recent Solaia he has tasted. Antonio Galloni and James Suckling both awarded 97 points. A superb Solaia with a long future ahead.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antinori","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54058934173996,"sku":null,"price":672.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Solaiai.png?v=1789165566"},{"product_id":"petrolo-galatrona-val-d-arno-di-sopra","title":"Petrolo Galatrona Val d’Arno di Sopra 2024 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA beautiful expression of Tuscan Merlot, with concentrated dark cherry and ripe dark berry fruit at its centre. There is richness and depth here, but Galatrona is ultimately about elegance and balance, with the fruit carried by freshness rather than sheer weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGalatrona is Petrolo's flagship wine, made exclusively from Merlot grown in the estate's nearly ten-hectare Galatrona vineyard in Val d'Arno di Sopra. The vines sit at around 300 metres, on clay-rich soils mixed with schist, marl and sandstone. The clay's ability to retain water is particularly important for Merlot through Tuscany's warm, dry summers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePetrolo has taken an increasingly natural approach to the vineyard since 2004 and has been certified organic since 2016. The grapes are hand harvested and carefully sorted before spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in cement. Gentle manual pumpovers are used to build structure while preserving the wine's elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing malolactic fermentation in wood, Galatrona spends 18 months in French oak, around one-third of which is new. The result is a concentrated but refined Merlot with texture, depth and persistence – a distinctly Tuscan interpretation of the variety and one of Italy's benchmark Merlots. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Petrolo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54061453508908,"sku":null,"price":169.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Petrolo.png?v=1789273546"},{"product_id":"chateau-suduiraut-half-bottle-sauternes-2023-375ml","title":"Chateau Suduiraut Half Bottle Sauternes 2023 (375ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eRich, golden and beautifully fresh, Château Suduiraut 2023 is filled with fresh citrus, candied lemon and concentrated citrus fruit. There is considerable sweetness and intensity, but bright acidity cuts through the richness, giving this Sauternes wonderful purity and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Premier Cru Classé in the 1855 classification, Suduiraut is one of the great estates of Sauternes. The 2023 is unusually made from \u003cstrong\u003e100% Sémillon\u003c\/strong\u003e, bringing richness, texture and the capacity for long ageing. Botrytis is clearly expressed, adding the complex roasted and candied character that sits beneath the wine's fresh fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe harvest took place over three selective pickings between 18 September and 17 October. Rain late in September encouraged botrytis, followed by warmer, drier conditions that allowed the fruit to achieve excellent concentration. The resulting wine combines 150g\/L of residual sugar with distinct acidity – rich and luscious, but never simply sweet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgeing takes place for 16 to 20 months, with half the wine in new barrels and half in one-year-old barrels. This is classic Sauternes: generous, concentrated and complex, with freshness running right through it and the structure to develop beautifully over many years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chateau Suduiraut","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54061453803820,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/ChateauSuduirautHalfBottleSauternes2016.png?v=1744606655"},{"product_id":"almaviva-2024-750ml","title":"Almaviva 2024 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA seriously impressive Almaviva, with vibrant blackcurrant and blackberry fruit giving the 2024 immediate energy and appeal. The dark fruit is pure and juicy, with plenty of concentration, but the cooler character of the vintage brings a freshness that keeps everything beautifully defined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe blend is led by 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 24% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. As the wine opens, the fruit gives way to incense, cedar, sweet spice and earthy, undergrowth notes. The palate has impressive depth and volume, framed by round, polished tannins that give it a velvety texture without losing tension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmaviva was created in 1997 through a partnership between Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Concha y Toro, bringing Bordeaux winemaking traditions together with one of Chile’s great Cabernet terroirs. The vineyards are in Puente Alto, where poor, rocky alluvial soils and excellent drainage have long produced some of Chile’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003cbr\u003eThe cooler 2024 season has produced an Almaviva of excellent balance – concentrated and powerful, but also fresh, precise and remarkably composed. There is enough generosity to make this attractive young, while the structure suggests a long future in the cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almaviva","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54061454885164,"sku":null,"price":228.6,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Almaviva.png?v=1789274339"},{"product_id":"chateau-palmer-2015-750ml-copy","title":"Chateau Palmer 2016 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extraordinary Palmer, overflowing with cassis and ripe dark berry fruit, yet possessing the perfume and elegance that make great Margaux so distinctive. The fruit is immensely concentrated and deep, but there is a purity and effortless quality to the wine that keeps its considerable power beautifully controlled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2016 is an equal blend of 47% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, completed by 6% Petit Verdot. Cassis is joined by graphite, crushed stone and spring flowers, while the palate is full-bodied, deep and remarkably concentrated. Ripe tannins give the wine tremendous structure, but the texture remains velvety and seamless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalmer's old Merlot vines on the clay-gravel soils of the Brauzes plateau play an important role in creating the estate's distinctive texture. The 2016 was matured for 22 months in barrel, with around 60% new oak, allowing the fruit and tannins to develop without losing their remarkable purity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the great modern vintages of Château Palmer – powerful, classical and extraordinarily long. Jeb Dunnuck called it the finest vintage he had tasted from the estate and awarded it \u003cstrong\u003e100 points\u003c\/strong\u003e, a score matched by Vinous and Wine Enthusiast. \u003cstrong\u003eWine Advocate awarded 98+ and James Suckling 98.\u003c\/strong\u003e A genuine benchmark Margaux with decades ahead of it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chateau Palmer","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54061455049004,"sku":null,"price":775.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/files\/Palmer.png?v=1789274588"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5280\/2348\/collections\/Untitled_design_-_2026-02-19T121058.130.png?v=1789275349","url":"https:\/\/normanbyfinewines.co.nz\/collections\/september-fine-wine-releases.oembed","provider":"Normanby Fine Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}