DEPARTURES

LUXURY UNLEASHED

(U)HNW individuals savor an unparalleled experience at the world's most expensive wine dinner aboard the magnificent 90m M/Y PHOENIX 2.

WILL NOBLE

As the Mediterranean sun casts its golden hues over the glittering harbor of Monaco, a symphony of luxury unfurls. Superyachts, like regal leviathans, nestle together in Port Hercules, forming an opulent tapestry of wealth and extravagance. Speedboats and tenders create a ballet on the azure waters, painting trails of frothy white in their wake. It can only mean one thing—the annual yachting circus, the world’s most prestigious yacht show, has once again graced the shores of the Principality of Monaco.

Among the 117 superyachts moored in Port Hercules, one reigns supreme—M/Y PHOENIX 2, the 90-meter (295-foot) Lurssen beauty listed for sale by Cecil Wright & Partners at an awe-inspiring €124,950,000. This regal vessel, born in 2010 and given a splendid refit in 2019, is a veritable masterpiece of Art Deco opulence. Its interior whispers homage to the iconic New York City skyline, with the 'Manhattan Bar' sporting motifs reminiscent of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings on its bar chairs. Black and white furnishings, as plush as they are sleek, grace the yacht's five resplendent decks, featuring amenities that read like a billionaire's dream: a cinema, a spa, a pool, a Jacuzzi, an elevator, a helipad, and a double-story Owner’s suite.

This extravagant megayacht is a world apart from anything you've ever seen, and it was the perfect stage for two exclusive evening receptions and the ultimate wine dinner, drawing the crème de la crème of (U)HNW individuals. The guest list included local and visiting billionaire families, family offices, and yachting world luminaries—renowned yacht builders, owners, designers, and more. The receptions were awash with large-format bottles of Château d’Esclans rosé wines, including the renowned Rock & Whispering Angel, and the award-winning Garrus.

However, it was the dinner in the yacht's breathtaking 'Winter Garden' that truly stole the show. The culinary symphony was orchestrated by the exceptional chef of Phoenix 2, featuring an extravagant ensemble of Alaskan King Crab with Caviar, succulent Wagyu beef, and delicate Sea Bream infused with Truffle Ponzu. Yet, it wasn't just the delectable dishes that had guests enraptured—it was the presence of the Liber Pater wines, hailed as 'the world’s most expensive wines,' and their charismatic ambassador, master Bordeaux vigneron, Loic Pasquet.

Since 2006, Liber Pater has evolved into a cult winery with Loic Pasquet at the helm, driven by a passionate mission: to resurrect the exquisite taste of Bordeaux wines as they were known during the 1855-era classification, before the devastation of phylloxera. To achieve this, Pasquet employs native, ungrafted vines, using grape varieties that were once commonplace in the region but have since been outlawed. Traditional methods, including personally tilling the land with a mule, infuse these wines with a timeless charm.

As the evening unfolded, guests were treated to a remarkable vertical tasting, showcasing vintages from 2007, 2011, and 2015. The pièce de résistance, however, was the unveiling of three bottles of Liber Pater 2018, a rarity of which only 720 bottles were ever produced, each commanding a staggering price tag of €30,000 per bottle.

In this rarefied atmosphere, the confluence of opulence, history, and artistry reached its zenith. It was a confluence that birthed what is undoubtedly the world's most expensive wine dinner—per head. All of this unfolded aboard one of the world's most remarkable megayachts, set against the backdrop of one of the world's most glamorous locations, during an event that stands as the undisputed pinnacle of the yachting world—the Monaco Yacht Show.

As the night drew to a close, and guests savored the lingering notes of Liber Pater, it was evident that this wine dinner had transcended mere extravagance; it had become a symbol of passion, luxury, and the timeless pursuit of perfection. Aboard M/Y PHOENIX 2, amid the opulence of Monaco, under the Mediterranean stars, it was a moment that will forever linger in the hearts and palates of those who had the privilege of attending the world's most expensive wine dinner.