Club to host “once in a lifetime” tasting

A private club is offering its members a chance to try 12 pre-phylloxera DRC wines with an average price of almost €10,000 per bottle.

Claiming to be the most exclusive luxury tasting in the world, The White Club will be bringing “a very small group of luxurious wine lovers” to Burgundy’s Château de Mercurey for a weekend-long tasting from Friday 14-16 December at a cost of €12,000 each.

Along with historic vintages from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, attendees will also taste wines from Henri Jayer, First Growth Bordeaux, Pétrus, Penfolds and Vega Siclia, as well as “enjoy cooking by a world class chef”.

“This weekend will be a once in a life time experience that includes an itinerary of culinary and wine delights and experiences that no-one has ever before witnessed,” commented Malene Meisner, CEO of The White Club.

Attendees will begin the weekend on Friday morning with a tasting of DRC wines from six decades, including Romanée-Conti 1957, 1978, 1997; La Tâche 1928, 1947, 1963, and Richebourg 1963, 1975

A few “jokers” will also be included in the tasting to surprise tasters and highlight labels that are considered underrated.

The White Club is an international private members club set up by sommelier and events organiser Melanie Meisner to focus on tasting the finest and rarest wines in the world.

Access to the club is by invitation only, and is limited to 50 members worldwide.

The White Club arrange around 10 to 12 public tastings each year all around the world and has its own cellar containing around 10,000 fine wines.

Speaking to the drinks business about the operation, Meisner said the customer base was truly global, with members from the UK, continental Europe and Hong Kong.

Château de Mercurey

The club holds a dinner in a different major city each month, and limits the number attending to 16. A one-off fee of €15,000 is necessary to become a member, which iis used to buy wine for the club.

A list of the wines tasted and other events held over the weekend can be viewed below.

Friday 14 December 9.45am meet at Domaine Romanée-Conti

Start tasting of the wines produced on the Domaine.

From here, travel to Château de Mercurey where private chef prepares a light lunch and The White Club prepare wines for tasting.

Wine list:

Romanée-Conti 1957, 1978, 1997

La Tâche 1928, 1947, 1963

Richebourg 1963, 1975

(Plus jokers)

Dinner will be at the Michelin-starred restaurant Levernois in Beaune where Philippe Augé has designed a tasting menu to accompany the next selection of wines:

Wine list:

Romanée-Conti 1922, 1923, 1929, 1935, 1942, 1954, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975

La Tâche 1940 Magnum, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1990, 2002, 2003

Richebourg 1940 Magnum, 1945, 1999

Grands Échezeaux 1969, 2003

On Saturday morning, a light breakfast will be served at Château de Mercurey, and then the private chef serves lunch and attendees taste through the last selection of Domaine Romanée-Conti wines.

Wine list Domaine Romanée-Conti meets Burgundy:

Romanée-Conti 2003, 1989

La Tache 1962, 1964, 1978

Échezeaux 1958, 2003,

Grands Échezeaux 1957

Romanée-Saint-Vivant 2003

Richebourg 2003

Henri Jayer Échezeaux 1992

Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux 1979

Additional option, Saturday (added cost €800):

Dinner Saturday evening by private chef. The wines served will be from The White Club’s cellar

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild

1996 Château Lafite

1929 Château Margaux

2007 Epicurean

2010 Vilafonté M Series

1990 Château Latour

1984 Ornellaia Maiden vintage

2006 Masseto

2003 Quintarelli Amarone

1970 Vega Sicilia Unico

1998 Château Pétrus

(plus “Burgundy Surprises”)

Additional option Sunday (added cost €1200)

“The World of First Growth meets Burgundy Grand Cru”

Private chef prepares lunch to match more powerful wines, including:

Pingus

Penfolds Grange

Château Mouton Rothschild

Château Latour

Château Lafite

Château Pétrus

Château Margaux

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Cheval Blanc

Château Haut-Brion

Vega Sicilia Unico

Château Ausone

GRAND CRU

Chambertin

Clos de Beze

Charmes Chambertin

Clos de La Roche

Clos de Tart

Bonnes Mares

Musigny

Clos de Vougeot

Echézeaux

Grands Echézeaux

La Grande Rue

Richebourg

Romanée St-Vivant

Sunday Tasting Dinner:

The First growth 1988

The First growth 1998

The First Growth 2008: 
Château Lafite, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Mouton Rothschild