
September’s auctions showed no sign of slowing down and that’s in spite of the annual wine sales in France. Wine enthusiasts wasted no time in stocking up their cellars with classic names from the world of fine wine ready for the change in season. For example, a bottle of 2020 Grand Cru Romanée Conti went under the hammer for €20,408 (+16%). From Bordeaux, a 2010 Petrus was auctioned for €5,258 (+26%) and Cheval Blanc came close to the €1,000 mark (a bottle from 1990 sold for €960 (+5%). The Rhône star Château Rayas continues to be loved by enthusiasts with a 1999 selling for €876 (+6%). Meanwhile, Guigal’s 1983 La Mouline from the Côte-Rôtie obtained €814 (+8%) and its 1989 La Landonne was auctioned for €701 (+10%). One thing is certain; iconic French wine is still in favour with bidders!
But there’s more to iDealwine auctions. Yes, you can find the world’s rarest wines, but the auction catalogues also contain little-known producers that have found their fans and continue to see growth month in, month out. Wine enthusiasts had their hearts set on these smaller producers and wine regions off the beaten track in September.
Lajibe in Jurançon
The Jurançon appellation in France’s South West is home to Domaine Lajibe. Jean-Baptiste Semmartin, who learnt about biodynamic practices when working alongside Emmanuel Giboulot in Burgundy, sculpts wines as sharp as a sword. His 2017 Haure crafted from a plot of very old Gros Manseng and Menseng vines soared to €300 (+84%). A bottle of 2021 Carmeret experienced the same success, having been auctioned for €175 (+84%), as did the 2020 Serres-Seques which sold for €167. These are three scrumptious dry wines that wine enthusiasts seem determined to savour.
Dagueneau in Pouilly Fumé
The name Dagueneau has long been known in the world of wine. And even if Didier Dagueneau left a permanent imprint, his son Louis-Benjamin has also added his own mark after taking over the estate in 2008. The wine Memento Mori, which is crafted from a plot of vines that normally go on to create the wine Silex, saw its 2018 vintage go under the hammer for €851 for a bottle and €1,753 for a magnum. Another rarity, Clos du Calvaire, which is produced from a tiny parcel of 200 square metres whose vines were pulled up in 2009 and replanted, witnessed a bottle from 2020 sell for €1,077. Additionally, a bottle of 2004 Silex was auctioned for €876. It’s fair to say that these are now collector’s prices.
Ganevat in Jura
Awarded Estate of the Year by the French wine magazine La Revue de France in 2018, Jean-François Ganevat decided to pass over the reins to a Russian wine enthusiast and businessman who had already managed the Languedoc estate Prieuré de Saint-Jean de Bébian. However, the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 changed everything. Due to international sanctions, Alexander Pumpyansky stepped down and Benoît Pontenier, director of Bebian, took over the management of the estate with support from Jean-François Ganevat and oenologist Jocelyn Broncard. It’s been a turbulent time for the estate to say the least. In last month’s auctions, wine enthusiasts could bid on an array of wines from the property. The emblematic Vignes de mon Père from the 2006 vintage sold for €563. Meanwhile, several magnums caught the eye of bidders with 2015 Les Chalasses Marnes Bleues being auctioned for €326 and a 2015 Les Chalasses Vieilles Vignes selling for €288, which is also the same price that a 2015 Les Grandes Teppes and a 2015 Florine obtained. Other magnums of 2015 Chamois du Paradis and 2015 Savagnin Antide went under the hammer for €250 and €225, respectively. A bottle of 2008 Pépé was bought for €166 and a Clavelin (a 0.63-litre bottle) of 2002 Vin Jaune was sold for €200.
Marie-Thérèse Chappaz in Switzerland
A major player in Swiss wine, Marie-Thérèse Chappaz tends to 10 hectares of vines using biodynamic practices in the Valais. Her estate is particularly well-known for its Petite Arvine, a rather unknown Swiss grape variety. But she is equally reputed for the other varieties she grows. Her 2016 Grain Syrah from Domaine des Claives was sold at auction for €317 (and the 2017 vintage for €217), while a 2020 Président Troillet produced using Grain d’Or Ermitage – the Swiss name for Marsanne) was bought for €175. A magnum of 2016 Grain Pinot Champ Dury went under the hammer for €263. A magnum of Grain Noir, a Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot sold for €250. Grain Noble, a sweet blend of Petite Arvine, Marsanne and Malvoisie, in magnum format was auctioned for €250. Meanwhile, a 2017 Grain Arvine de Fully was bought for €139. These are the prices you have to pay to taste rare fine wine.