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La Place 2025: Key fine wine releases beyond Bordeaux

Masseto fine wine vineyard
  • The La Place 2025 campaign has continued its expansion with more than 130 wines offered via the historic network.
  • As the campaign unfolds against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, some estates have paused their involvement while others see it as an even more necessary tool to secure sales.
  • We analyse the value and investment potential of some of the most important La Place releases.

The La Place 2025 campaign has continued its expansion with more than 130 wines offered via the historic network.

Firstly, what is La Place? Traditionally, La Place de Bordeaux (as it is called in full) was the centuries-old distribution system through which Bordeaux châteaux released their wines to international merchants. Over the past two decades, it has transformed into a global platform, with leading estates from Tuscany, California, Chile, and beyond joining to tap into its worldwide reach. For investors, La Place matters because it provides access to many of the world’s most sought-after wines at the moment of release – making it a barometer for both pricing trends and collector demand.

As the campaign unfolds against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, some estates have paused their involvement while others see it as an even more necessary tool to secure sales. We analyse the value and investment potential of some of the most important La Place releases.

La Place in 2025: what has changed

This year’s campaign unfolds against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, with the fine wine market still in the grip of a downturn that began in late 2022. Lower release prices have become more of an expectation, with the need to adapt to softer demand more noticeable than ever. Some estates have chosen to step back, pausing their La Place involvement for now, while others have come to view the system as key to securing global recognition and distribution. 

What remains unchanged is the underlying pull of La Place: demand among producers to gain access to this international sales platform continues to grow, ensuring a steady stream of new entrants even as others bow out.

Departures and pauses

Not every name is present this year. Montes Muse, Destiny Bay, and Bibi Graetz’s ultra-limited Balocchi are no longer part of the roster. Certain wines are absent due to production constraints rather than strategy: Penfolds Bin 169 was not made in 2023, while Cloudburst skipped its 2022 Malbec. Within Bibi Graetz’s portfolio, the white Testamatta and Colore were made in such small volumes that they will not be offered via La Place.

Shifting timelines

Another notable trend is the shift in release windows. Several well-known estates have moved from September to March releases, including Hermitage La Chapelle, Napa’s Favia, Chile’s Viñedo Chadwick, and Jackson Family Wines’ Cardinale. This rescheduling might help reduce bottlenecks during the crowded September calendar.

New arrivals

Despite some exits, the list of debutants reinforces La Place’s increasingly diverse profile. New highlights include:

  • Argentina (Mendoza): Zuccardi’s El Camino de las Flores
  • Australia (Clare Valley): Jim Barry Florita
  • Australia (Tasmania): Arras Grand Vintage
  • France (Loire): Vincent Delaporte (Sancerre), Domaine Luneau Papin (Muscadet), Laurent Lebrun (Pouilly-Fumé), Sébastien Brunet (Vouvray)
  • Spain (Ribeira Sacra): Cornamús (F. Algueira)
  • USA (California): Flowers (Pinot Noir & Chardonnay)

Most in-demand La Place releases

Some La Place releases command attention year after year. These include the Super Tuscans, California’s cult labels, and Bordeaux/New World collaborations such as Seña and Almaviva. But where do their latest vintage releases sit in the current market and the overall brand performance?

Masseto

Masseto was the first Italian wine to join La Place de Bordeaux back in 2009, offering its 2006 vintage through the international distribution system. It was also the first wine with no specific Bordeaux ties to join the platform, paving the way for other fine wines from around the world.

Earlier this month saw the release of its latest 2022 vintage at £6,140 per 12×75, down 1% on last year. The wine achieved 95 points from Antonio Galloni (Vinous) – his lowest score since the 2014. Still, he described it as ‘elegant and polished’ and ‘super refined’.

When it comes to value for money, the 100-point 2021 vintage makes a better buy. The lower-priced but higher-scored 2018 and 2017 vintages also offer better value. All of these vintages sit below the average brand price of £7,812 per case. Notably, our Masseto index has risen 67% over the past decade. 

Masseto fine wine prices

Solaia

Another notable Super Tuscan follows a similar trajectory. Solaia 2022 was released at £3,300 per 12×75, flat on the 2021, which has since fallen in value. Comparing critic scores for the two weighs in favour of last year’s release, which earned 100 points from Galloni. The lower-priced 2018 Solaia also looks more attractive.

Over the past decade, our Solaia index has risen an impressive 113%. Even with the current market downturn, Solaia values have held relatively steady – up 3% in the last six months. 

Solaia fine wine prices

Opus One 

Moving past the Super Tuscans, the 2022 vintage of the USA’s most popular wine, Opus One, was released earlier this month at £2,820 per 12×75. The wine received 92+ points from Galloni, 96 points from Jane Anson and 95-97 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW. Higher-rated vintages like 2018 and 2019 look better poised for investment.

The overall performance trajectory of Opus One has been positive: the brand is up 4% in the last six months, 18% in the last five years, and 95% in the last decade.

Opus One Napa Valley fine wine prices

Penfolds Grange 


Penfolds, Australia’s leading wine brand, released its 2021 vintage slightly below 2020 but above most readily-available older vintages. The new release achieved 98 points from Jane Anson and Erin Larkin (Wine Advocate). Still, buyers will find better value in 2015 and 2016 – two of the most sought-after Penfolds Grange vintages.

Penfolds Grange Australian fine wine prices

Seña

The 2023 vintage of Seña, which received 95 points from Joaquin Hidalgo (Vinous) and Jane Anson, was released at £720 per 12×75, down 36% on last year. Still, the 95-point 2018 and 96-point 2019 remain available at lower prices. 

In the last six months, our Seña index has risen 2%; over the past decade, it is up 70%.

Mondavi and Chadwick Sena fine wine prices

Almaviva

Almaviva, the most popular Chilean wine brand, also offered its 2023 vintage via La Place this September, at £924 per 12×75 case. The new vintage was awarded 96 points from Joaquin Hidalgo, placing it on par with the 2021 and 2019 vintages. The 2023 Almaviva has been one of the better value La Place releases, although from its back vintages, 2020 and 2019 look equally or even more attractive.

Almaviva fine wine prices

In terms of overall brand performance, our Almaviva index is up 141% in the last decade. The brand’s average price per case now stands at £1,565.

Almaviva fine wine index

The 2025 La Place campaign inevitably reflects the global economic climate as well as the challenges and the resilience of today’s fine wine market. A cautious economic backdrop and softer demand have prompted some estates to step aside and others to lower prices, yet La Place continues to expand in scope and influence.

The arrival of new producers from Argentina, Australia, the Loire, and California highlights its ongoing globalisation, while established icons like Masseto, Solaia, Opus One, and Almaviva still command worldwide attention. The key for buyers remains having a selective and comparative approach. While new releases carry prestige and immediate buzz, back vintages often provide stronger value and proven performance. 

Want to learn more? See also: Is buying early always the best investment?

WineCap’s independent market analysis showcases the value of portfolio diversification and the stability offered by investing in wine. Speak to one of our wine investment experts and start building your portfolio. Schedule your free consultation today.

 

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Pound strength creates opportunity in Californian wine

  • Sterling strength against the US dollar, combined with Californian fine wine prices down 11.4% year-on-year create prime buying conditions for European investors.
  • From Screaming Eagle and Opus One to Bond Melbury and Aubert Chardonnay, select Californian wines are showing resilience and strong returns.
  • US wines are not subject to the same tariffs as European wines entering America, amplifying the current opportunity.

Currency tailwinds meet market softness

With pound sterling trading near its strongest levels against the US dollar in almost a decade, European fine wine buyers are enjoying a rare currency advantage. In addition, prices for Californian fine wine have fallen 11.4% on average in the last year – a steeper drop than Burgundy, Champagne, Italy and the Rhône. And while European exports are now subject to a 15% tariff in America, American wines enter the EU with only minimal import duties. 

For those looking west, this means more than just favourable exchange rates – it’s a window of opportunity to acquire some of California’s top investment-grade wines at effectively lower prices. The combination of market softness in the US and a relatively strong pound has created a buying climate that hasn’t been so compelling in years.

California’s investment appeal

California has long been America’s fine wine powerhouse, with its top labels regularly commanding global attention alongside Bordeaux First Growths and Burgundy Grand Crus. The state offers remarkable diversity, from the cult Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa Valley to the elegant Chardonnays of the Sonoma Coast.

Yet it is also a market where fine wines have historically been harder to acquire in Europe. Limited allocations, strong domestic demand, and brand-loyal followings have often kept supply tight. In the current environment, however, these barriers have eased slightly. Some of California’s most iconic names are trading at multi-year lows, as part of the wider correction in the global fine wine market.

Screaming Eagle: The US investment benchmark

Screaming Eagle remains the top traded US wine by value, with a market history as intense as its scarcity. With six perfect 100-point scores in just 13 vintages, it sits in a league of its own among American wines. Over the past two decades, Screaming Eagle’s prices have climbed more than 200%, making it one of the most lucrative long-term holds in the fine wine market.

That said, the past few years have been volatile. After peaking in 2022, prices fell as broader market sentiment cooled, particularly in the ultra-high-end segment. The Screaming Eagle index has since shown signs of stabilisation, rising more than 5% year-to-date. For investors, this is often the sweet spot – when a correction has bottomed and momentum begins to turn.

Screaming Eagle wine performance

The 2021 vintage is especially compelling. A 100-point release, it remains the most affordable among the perfect-score cohort. For those seeking a rare combination of topmost quality, brand prestige, and relative value, this vintage offers an unusually attractive entry point.

Other Californian fine wines to watch

While Screaming Eagle often dominates the conversation, California’s investment landscape is far broader. Several names have shown resilience or are quietly building momentum:

  • Opus One – This Franco-American collaboration has traded in higher volumes this year on Liv-ex than European stalwarts such as Léoville Las Cases, Ornellaia, and Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill. Year-to-date, our Opus One wine index is up 4%, with healthy liquidity that makes it attractive for active traders.
  • Joseph Phelps Insignia – A model of consistency, Insignia’s prices have risen through the broader market downturn. The index is up 7% over the past six months and has appreciated more than 70% in the last decade. Its track record makes it one of the most reliable US names for long-term investment.
  • Dominus – Known for its Bordeaux-style Napa blends, Dominus has declined just 1% in the past year. More recently, it has begun consolidating, with a 2% rise since January 2025, suggesting a potential base is forming for the next move higher.

These examples highlight an important point: not all Californian wines follow the same market rhythm. While the ultra-luxury segment can be more volatile, there are pockets of stability and even steady growth available to more risk-conscious investors.

Top-performing US wines over the past year

According to Wine Track, several Californian labels have posted double-digit gains despite general market challenges and political uncertainty. This once again underscores the value of selective buying, even in a cooling market.

Top performing US wines

Bond Melbury and Screaming Eagle The Flight lead the field, each posting gains of 30% or more – an impressive performance given the overall market softness. Both wines share similar investment traits: small production, critical acclaim, and established brand prestige.

The appearance of Aubert Chardonnay and Occidental Pinot Noir on this list also highlights a growing trend: high-quality Californian whites and Pinot Noirs are attracting more collector attention, offering diversification beyond Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends.

Investment takeaways

The combination of currency tailwinds and a market correction presents a rare opportunity for European buyers. For investors, the strategy is twofold:

  1. Target icons at cyclical lows: Screaming Eagle, Opus One, Harlan Estate, and Dominus are trading below peak levels, offering the potential for recovery-driven gains.
  2. Diversify with proven mid-tier performers: wines like Bond Melbury, Aubert Chardonnay, and Chappellet have delivered strong recent returns and often come with lower volatility than the ultra-cult names.

With sterling strong and US prices still subdued, this is a moment where timing and selectivity could translate into meaningful portfolio gains. California may be half a world away, but for European investors, the opportunity has rarely felt closer.

For more, read our United States Regional Report.

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Marchesi Antinori acquires iconic Napa Valley’s Stag’s Leap

Stag's Leap
  • Marchesi Antinori has taken full ownership of Napa Valley’s iconic winery Stag’s Leap.
  • Stag’s Leap laid the foundation for the emergence of cult wines after winning the Judgement of Paris in 1976.
  • Antinori’s innovations in the ‘Super Tuscan’ revolution of the 1970s and recent acquisition of Stag’s Leap position both for continued success in the fine wine investment market.

Marchesi Antinori, one of the oldest and largest wine companies in the world, has gained full ownership of the iconic Napa Valley estate Stag’s Leap. According to Wine Spectator, the current sale includes ‘the winery, the brand and inventory, and close to 300 acres of Napa vines, including the Fay and S.L.V. vineyards’. These sites hold a near-mythical status in American wine, making the sale one of the most significant winery transactions in recent Napa Valley history.

Antinori is no stranger to Stag’s Leap. The Italian family first acquired a minority stake in 2007, partnering with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates after the property was purchased from founder Warren Winiarski. With the latest agreement, Antinori now transitions from long-standing partner to full owner – deepening its commitment to Napa Valley and expanding a global portfolio that already includes Tignanello, Guado al Tasso, and its American estate, Antica Napa Valley.

A historic Napa Valley estate

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars holds a unique position in American wine history. It is widely credited as one of the pioneering Napa wineries that shaped the modern era of California fine wine. But it was one wine in particular that changed everything: the 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon.

This vintage, the estate’s second commercial release and first made at the winery, famously won the Judgment of Paris blind tasting in 1976. By outperforming top French estates – including Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion – Stag’s Leap stunned the global wine community and forced critics to take New World wines seriously. It was a defining moment not just for Napa Valley, but for American fine wine as a whole.

The S.L.V. vineyard, along with the Fay Vineyard, remains central to the estate’s identity. Both sites are now fully under Antinori ownership, giving the Italian group complete control over the terroir that shaped one of the wine world’s most important breakthroughs.

The rise of Stag’s Leap in the fine wine market

Over the last decade, Stag’s Leap has experienced substantial growth in the secondary market. Collectors have increasingly turned to the estate’s top wines – particularly Cask 23, S.L.V., and Fay – as demand for high-quality yet comparatively accessible Californian Cabernet Sauvignon continues to rise.

Several performance trends underscore Stag’s Leap’s strong market momentum:

1. Price appreciation

  • Cask 23 has increased 59% on average over the past 10 years.

  • S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon has risen 61% over the same period.

These gains reflect confidence among collectors who view Stag’s Leap as a historically significant winery with long-term growth potential.

2. Value for money

One of the brand’s greatest competitive advantages is its relative affordability compared to other Napa “cult” producers.

This stark gap highlights why many fine wine buyers see Stag’s Leap as offering high quality without extreme price premiums, a factor that has contributed to its increased trading activity.

3. Standout vintages

The estate’s 2014 releases, in particular, have shown remarkable performance:

  • S.L.V. 2014 has surged 80.5% since release.

  • Cask 23 2014 has climbed 77.4% in the past two years alone.

Such growth places these wines alongside some of Napa’s strongest performers in recent market cycles.

Why Antinori’s ownership matters

While Stag’s Leap helped establish the reputation of California Cabernet Sauvignon, Marchesi Antinori played an equally transformative role in Italy during the 1970s. Its groundbreaking wines – including Tignanello, Solaia, and others – helped spark the Super Tuscan revolution, challenging traditional DOC rules and elevating Italian red wine to new global heights.

Together, the two wineries share several parallels:

1. Both reshaped their national wine identities

  • Stag’s Leap redefined American wine after the Judgment of Paris.

  • Antinori reshaped Italian wine through innovative vineyard and cellar practices.

2. Both expanded the definition of “fine wine” beyond Bordeaux

Their success helped diversify the global fine wine conversation – proving that excellence could emerge from Tuscany and Napa Valley as convincingly as from France.

3. Both maintain powerful global brands

Antinori’s Tignanello is now one of the world’s most traded luxury wines. Liv-ex ranked it the 49th most powerful wine brand, partly due to its attractive average case price of £1,076, making it the best-value Italian label in the top 100.

With Antinori’s full acquisition of Stag’s Leap, the synergy between these two historic producers may deepen even further.

What comes next?

It remains to be seen exactly how Antinori will integrate Stag’s Leap into its global strategy. However, its track record suggests a continued focus on:

  • Estate-driven expression

  • Investment in vineyard health and sustainability

  • International distribution strength

  • Long-term legacy building

For Napa Valley, the acquisition signals sustained interest from established European wine families, affirming the region’s global prestige. For Antinori, it represents a strengthening of its American footprint. And for collectors, the transition offers reassurance that Stag’s Leap – already a historic and fast-rising winery – may be entering an era of renewed energy.

Final outlook

With its deep heritage, exceptional vineyards, and growing market demand, Stag’s Leap stands poised for an exciting new chapter under Antinori’s full stewardship. For both producers, this union brings together centuries of winemaking knowledge with some of Napa’s most important terroirs. As the dust settles on the acquisition, one thing seems certain: both Marchesi Antinori and Stag’s Leap are positioned to reach even greater heights in the fine wine market in the years ahead.

WineCap’s independent market analysis showcases the value of portfolio diversification and the stability offered by investing in wine. Speak to one of our wine investment experts and start building your portfolio. Schedule your free consultation today.