Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion doubles in size

Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion has doubled its vineyard holdings with the inclusion of vines from newly-purchased estate Chateau du Thil Comte Clary.

Chateau du Thil Comte Clary is between Chateau Carbonnieux and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in the Pessac-Leognan appellation.

The sale, in which the 17.2ha estate was split between two new owners, was announced earlier in the summer and finalised on 29 August,

The Cathiards of Smith Haut Lafitte have bought 11.6ha and Groupe Pichet of Carmes Haut-Brion has acquired 5.6ha.

Carmes Haut-Brion bought only red vines, with the stated intention of improving the quality its wines by allowing greater selection, and to develop its reputation in export markets by increasing the volumes available to sell.

Pauline Astier of Groupe Pichet told Decanter.com that the grapes from both vineyards will from now be vinified at Carmes Haut-Brion, and that its total vineyard area will double in size from 4.7ha to 10.3ha.

There are plans to restructure the vineyard, and to build new grape reception and winery areas.

Stéphane Derenoncourt will continue as consultant of the expanded property, with Guillaume Pouthier as director.

The Cathiards plan to continue to bottle their newly acquired vines under Chateau du Thil Comte Clary’s original name. ‘At least for the first few years while we are ascertaining the quality,’ said Florence Cathiard.

Patrice Pichet, head of Bordeaux real estate company Groupe Pichet, bought Château Carmes Haut-Brion in early 2011 for €18m.

Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux