Haut-Brion launches premium wine

Clarence Dillon Wines, the company behind Bordeaux first-growth Château Haut-Brion, is launching a new range of premium Bordeaux wines.

The range of wines, dubbed Clarendelle, is a self-styled alternative to varietal new world wines and is made in three different styles: red, white and a sweet wine called Amberwine. A fourth, rosé, has yet to be released.

The wines are not varietally labelled although they are consistent with Bordeaux in that the red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the white is a Semillon/Sauvignon blend and the Amberwine a mix of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.

The wines are retailing in the US for between US$25 and $30 and are only available in the UK through the ultra-exclusive London restaurant group, Marlon Abela which includes Morton’s Club, The Greenhouse and Umu.

The name Clarendelle takes its inspiration from the name of the American financier and part-time cattle-breeder Clarence Dillon who bought Haut-Brion in 1934 when the château had fallen on hard times.

The Dillon business is currently run by his great grandson, Prince Robert of Luxembourg.

Written by Oliver Styles