Two wines by DBR Lafite to enter the HK and Macau markets this summer

Omtis Fine Wines is set to distribute Long Dai and Hu Yue, both produced by Domaine de Long Dai, the Chinese outpost of Barons de Rothschild Lafite, across Hong Kong and Macau.

Three years ago, the doors opened at Long Dai, the Rothschild-owned estate in Shandong Province in China. The first wine it produced was Long Dai 2017.

Now, two new wines are set to enter the Hong Kong and Macau markets. It is the first time that Hu Yue has been unveiled to markets outside Mainland China, with the release of its 2019 vintage exclusively through Omtis Fine Wines.

Saskia de Rothschild, head of the family’s wine estates, said: “We are currently in the first chapter of a very long story, as winemakers in China”. The choice for the name Long Dai came from the Rothschild family’s wish to find an identity that could show “how this wine is the perfect balance between nature, and the care of men and women who have helped it reveal its best potential”.

Inspired by the Taishan sacred mountain in Shandong, Long Dai represents an idealised mountain that rose up through the power of nature and was then carefully chiselled by human hands. The choice of name describes what the Rothschilds do as winemakers: perfect the raw materials provided by nature.

“The origin of the name Hu Yue, was the idea to reveal a sacred alliance between Chinese culture, respect for the elements and nature’s uncontrollable cycle.” Saskia de Rothschild continues, “What better character than Hu that refers to a jade tablet, that was an important tool used in ancient times by farmers to pray for a good harvest?”

The character Hu also recalls the symbol for the tiger, the second most sacred animal in China. The second character Yue represents all five sacred mountains of China and links back to the sacred Mount Dai referenced in the name of the estate.

Guillaume Deglise, international director for DBR Lafite, and Philippe Bera, CEO of Omtis Fine Wines Hong Kong, agree that both families share a long-term vision and philosophy:

“Long Dai’s team in Shandong and the DBR Lafite team in Bordeaux are delighted to count Omtis as a new partner to develop the story of our wines in key Asian markets outside Mainland China,” he said. “We are just at the beginning of Long Dai’s story and look forward to a long-lasting relationship as partners.”

Omtis is one of the most highly reputed family-owned wine merchants in Hong Kong, with more than 100 years of experience in delivering luxury products in Asia.

Bera said, “We are honoured to continue our longstanding and fruitful partnership with DBR (Lafite) with their new ‘story’ in China. This demonstrates, not only our commitment to our heritage and roots in China, but also our eagerness and dedication to bring high-end wines to our customers across Asia.”

The 2019 vintage, the first to be distributed in the Hong Kong and Macau markets, has seen many developments within the estate in search for precision and a deeper understanding of how environmental factors in the valley affect their specific terroir, particularly regarding the subject of irrigation.

“The 2019 vintage was a challenging year due to the lack of water during summer. Our team studied the soils in order to develop the right protocols,” says Charles Treutenaere, estate manager. “The 2019 is a perfect example of a wine that expresses all the potential of its terroir and of the climate of this year, a subtle surprise”.

According to the winery, the Grand Vin of Long Dai 2019 is embodied with a balanced structure and elegant fine grain tannins with notes of black fruit and bold spices. It is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Cabernet Franc (9%), and Marselan (6%).

While the second wine, Hu Yue 2019, is defined by aromas of red fruits such as red currant and cherry, followed by spicy notes of liquorice and white pepper revealing a complex and yet refined nose. The attack is fresh, with a balanced structure and an enveloping mouthfeel. It is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Marselan (17%), Syrah (15%), and Cabernet Franc (11%).

Domaine de Long Dai will be available in Hong Kong in early June 2022.

Hu Yue will be available in summer 2022.

The wines will also be available in selected private members clubs, 5-star hotels and restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau.