Haut Brion invests in the Right Bank

Domaine Clarence Dillon has bought the Saint Emilion property, Château Tertre Daugay, in a move that sees the first growth-owning company move from the Left to the Right Bank.

The 17 hectare property was sold by Alexandre de Malet Roquefort who said he was “heart broken” to have to sell but that old families such as his could no longer afford the upkeep of their estates.

Monetary problems were compounded when an American associate who owned 50% of the property wanted to pull out of the venture.

After eight months of offers and negotiations, Domaine Clarence Dillon emerged as the favourite candidate to take over the entire estate. Malet Roquefort told French newspaper Sud Ouest that he thought it was a “good choice for the future of the property”.

Tertre Daugay was one of 11 châteaux declassified in 2006 but, due to the controversial nature of the delisting, it and the others can still display their cru classé status on the label.

This will change next year when there is a further review and Domaine Clarence Dillon is expected to invest heavily in the property to ensure it does not slip again.

Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Domaine Clarence Dillon’s owner, said that his company was aiming to give Tertre Daugay back its “former glory”.

The Domaine’s estate manager, Jean-Philippe Delmas, said that Domaine Clarence Dillon had “been looking to expand,” and that the Saint Emilion property had, “untapped potential and a wonderful terroir”.

Rupert Millar, 30.06.2011