History
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855, and comes from the same vines as this one. The history of Château Haut-Brion, the oldest of Bordeaux’s Grands Crus, dates back to five centuries ago. Its name refers to the Gascon toponym “Haut Brion” which designates the gravelly terrace located between the streams of the Peugue and the Serpent. Jean de Pontac (1488-1589) bought the noble house of Haut-Brion, giving birth to a large vineyard whose durability will be assured over the centuries. He undertook the construction of the Castle in 1549. The historian Paul Roudie will not hesitate to qualify the residence of the first Château “Authentiquement Vinicole”.
In 1855, Haut Brion rose to the rank of Premier Cru Classé. In 1935, Château Haut-Brion was acquired by the American banker Clarence Dillon. Later, in 1939, he turned it into a hospital to accommodate the wounded officers of the French army. Since then, the property is still part of the same family. The estate also produce white and red wines.
Terroir
The terroir of Château Haut-Brion is 48 hectares planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It ages in new barrels for part, in barrels of a wine (having already served the Grand Vin of the previous year) for the balance.
