Fells becomes exclusive UK distributor of Clarendelle
Fells is becoming the exclusive UK distributor of Clarendelle, the “accessible” but age-worthy premium Bordeaux wines made by the Clarence Dillon family, who own Bordeaux’s Châteaux Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion and Quintus.
The 12-month deal, which starts on 2 March, will give Fells exclusivity in the UK market for the three Clarendelle wines – Clarendelle’s Bordeaux AOC Rouge, Blanc, and Rosé – which are blended from storied vineyards and parcels across the region before being cellared and only released to the market when ready to be enjoyed by the consumer.
Fells will also be the first in the world to launch the “outstanding” 2019 red, with its fine wine team also handling a selection of library vintages from some of Domaine Clarence Dillon’s iconic Bordeaux estates.
France portfolio manager Florence Fagan said it was unusual for an importer to have this kind of link to these top Bordeaux houses – the Clarendelle range bringing “First Growth expertise to a series of age-worthy wines reflective of Bordeaux’s distinctive terroirs, elevating everyday life with fine wines”, the company said.
The ‘Clarendelle, Inspired by Haut-Brion’ label was created by Prince Robert de Luxembourg in 2005 and named in honour of his great-grandfather, American financier Clarence Dillon, who acquired Château Haut-Brion in 1935 and established the family business. As a member of the Domaine Clarence Dillon stable, Clarendelle “embodies a style dictated by an authentic expression of the Bordeaux terroir, resulting in perfectly aged, finely blended wines that combine complexity, elegance, and balance”, Fells said.
Partner Content
For the last three years, Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon have been the official wine partner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, toasting the 97th Oscars as the official wine.
Fells managing director Euan Mackay commented that the new partnership built on “an incredible year” for the company’s French portfolio, following the additions of Burgundy’s Joseph Burrier, Maison Louis Latour and Chablis experts Simonnet-Febvre.
“Alongside producers like Guigal, Hugel and Champagne Henriot our offering from France has never looked stronger,” he said. It has also added Hambledon Vineyard in the UK and Altesino, from the hills north of Montalcino in Tuscany, in recent years.
Last February, the distributor announced it was restructuring its commercial team to support growth and position it to better navigate market challenges, having told db that the trading environment in the UK in 2024 was “far from easy”. In July 2024, the company launched Fells Vinothèque, an initiative dedicated to releasing mature vintages from producers from whom the company is typically unable to source older stocks, in order to deliver a new service to the on-trade. this involved laying down a “significant” number of cases of more than 70 wines from 30 wineries, to mature, with the aim of releasing them on a two-year rolling schedule of quarterly releases.
