Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2018 Clarendelle
Bordeaux AOC
France
$36.41
The Gull Liquor Store
900 – 333 Brooksbank, Ave
North Vancouver, BC
With fires raging in Bordeaux’s Gironde department this week, I wanted to shine a spotlight on this historic wine region by featuring a bottle from the area. While the fires have not directly affected Bordeaux’s vineyards, France has already lost more than 90,000 hectares to wildfires this season, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), with the Gironde region around Bordeaux among the hardest-hit. Here in British Columbia, we can all relate to the destruction caused by wildfires and the long road to recovery that follows.
Bordeaux has also faced significant economic challenges in recent years due to shifting consumer preferences and the perception that Bordeaux wines are either old-fashioned or overpriced. As a longtime Bordeaux enthusiast and a recent graduate of the Wine Scholar Guild’s Bordeaux Master-Level program, I can confidently say that few wine regions offer the same combination of quality, variety, and value.
This week’s featured wine is a perfect example. Created in 2005 by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Clarendelle is a premium Bordeaux brand inspired by the prestigious Château Haut-Brion, the historic First Growth estate acquired by his great-grandfather, Clarence Dillon, in 1935. Named in Dillon’s honor, Clarendelle is crafted by the same expert winemaking team behind Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion. The wines are designed to express the elegance and longevity of a classic Bordeaux blend, then aged before release, ensuring they are ready to enjoy upon purchase.
The 2018 Clarendelle Rouge is a Merlot-dominant blend complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It displays a deep ruby colour with inviting aromas of blackberry, plum, licorice, and clove. The palate is beautifully balanced, with grippy yet silky tannins, fresh acidity, and flavours of dark cherry and blackberry accented by a subtle note of bell pepper. Well-structured and harmonious, this vintage is drinking well now but has the framework to continue to evolve for at least another five years.
Pair Clarendelle Rouge with roasted or grilled meats such as lamb, steak, or duck.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, the Bordeaux Masters designation with Honours, and the Italian Wine Essentials certification. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass