The Wine Society has unveiled a limited-edition "never to be repeated" fine wine collection to commemorate its 150th anniversary.
This Anniversary Collection features 29 bottle ‘museum release’ wines, meticulously curated over more than a decade of planning, fine-tuning, shipping, and cellaring, all ready to drink now.
Pierre Mansour, Director of Wine at The Wine Society, shared that the team collaborated with some of the industry's most renowned names, including Château Batailley, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, CVNE, Louis Jadot, Fontodi, Schloss Gobelsburg, Kumeu River, Cullen, Kanonkop, Weinert, Au Bon Climat, and Ridge. Mansour emphasized, "Creating something completely unique for members, this range is The Society’s first-ever dedicated selection of own-label fine wine. Every wine is an outstanding example of its type and has been matured to be hitting its drinking window now. The wines are strictly in limited supply, and due to their unique provenance and aging, once sold will not be available again!"
The society currently holds over £22 million worth of stock, cellared to be released at peak maturity. Mansour added, "Our unique mutual business model enables us to age wines until ready for drinking. Being a mutual also means that though we’ve been storing these fine wines from renowned producers for several years, the wines are not inaccessibly priced."
The Anniversary range, inspired by the cover design of The Society’s List from July 1914 by artist, designer, and decorator GM Ellwood, is priced between GBP 17.50 – 85 (EUR 20.5 - 99.6). Some highlights include:
- Hunter Valley Semillon 2014 (RRP: GBP 19.50 or EUR 22.90)
- Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2020 (GBP 22.00 or EUR 25.80)
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 (RRP: GBP 25.00 or EUR 29.30)
- Gigondas 2018 (RRP: GBP 29.00 or EUR 34.00)
- Mendoza Malbec 2007 (RRP: GBP 35.00 or EUR 41.00)
- Margaux 2015 (RRP: GBP 38.00 or EUR 44.50)
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 (RRP: GBP 39.00 or EUR 45.70)
- Pauillac 2015 (RRP: GBP 49.00 or EUR 57.40)
- Vintage Champagne 2012 (RRP: GBP 55.00 or EUR 64.50)
- Rioja Gran Reserva 2004 (RRP: GBP 85.00 or EUR 99.60)
Additionally, The Wine Society will release further tranches of fine wine that reflect its 150-year history. The first release of this "Generation Series" came in January, showcasing wines popular with members between 1874-1924. A second release will be launched on 26 March, highlighting favorites from 1924-1974.
Source: The Drinks Business