38th Annual Auction Sees VGS Chateau Potelle Set a New Barrel Record Frenchman Napa Valley Fourmeaux established the winery in 1983 and has been in charge of producing Bordeaux-style small-batch wines ever since.
Regarding reaching a record price for a barrel at auction, he responded, “Winemaking and art are both evolutionary processes.” “I named these wines. These are the lessons I’ve learned and the person I’ve grown into. They stand for presence, dimension, wisdom, and maturity. They represent the pinnacle of my long-term passion for both life and wine.”
A very concentrated, rich, and nuanced wine, this first release of Fourmeaux 2016 comes from grapes farmed at a height of nearly 2,000 feet above Mount Veeder. Of the 200 cases produced, ten were included in the winning barrel. The wine is a mix of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec matured for 24 months in French oak barrels.
Kale Anderson, the youngest American winemaker to get a flawless 100-point rating from wine expert Robert Parker, created the Fourmeaux 2016 Red Blend. Anderson believed he had what it took to make an exceptional wine from the start of that vintage. The auction’s outcome again demonstrated that VGS wines are designed for those who value complexity, individuality, and depth.
Fourmeaux declared, “Making mainstream wines has never been my calling.” “With enthusiasm and no pretense, I produce wines. I’m happy that this particular bidders’ very sophisticated group found it appealing.”
It would be an understatement to say that this wine was highly sought after; its record-breaking price of $73,550 exceeded the previous Auction Napa Valley barrel record by more than $40,000. Will Harlan’s Mascot broke that record only a year ago.
Bruce and Jennifer Adams of Louisiana, seasoned Auction Napa Valley bidders, placed the highest price on the Fourmeaux wine. Bruce Adams expressed his happiness at being a part of this significant occasion. “My family has known Jean-Noel Fourmeaux for a very long time,” Bruce Adams remarked. “To contribute to the success of the launch of his newest luxury brand ‘Fourmeaux’ is a pleasure and it serves a great cause … not to mention it was the best wine I tasted.”
The 38th annual auction in Napa Valley took place this year. The live auction, barrel auction, and e-auction earnings will be given to 28 Napa County charities that promote community health and children’s education once the event on June 3 concludes. $13.6 million was raised at the 2018 event.
Conclusion
- VGS Chateau Potelle’s Fourmeaux 2016 wine set a new barrel record at the 38th Annual Auction in Napa Valley, fetching an impressive $73,550, surpassing the previous record by over $40,000.
- The wine, crafted by winemaker Kale Anderson, is a Bordeaux-style blend with 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec, aged for 24 months in French oak barrels.
- Winemaker Jean-Noel Fourmeaux, known for producing small-batch Bordeaux-style wines, emphasized the evolutionary nature of winemaking and expressed his passion for creating wines that embody presence, dimension, wisdom, and maturity.
- The auction’s proceeds, totaling $13.6 million in 2018, contribute to 28 Napa County charities supporting community health and children’s education, making the event a significant success for both the wine industry and philanthropy.
