Confrères are members of Laithwaite's inner circle. When you reserve a case of the award-winning Bordeaux, Château La Clarière, you become part of our winemaking community … and share the secrets and the vineyards that are the beating heart of Laithwaite's.
The normal list price of Château La Clarière Laithwaite is £25 a bottle, £150 a six-bottle case. But when you sign up for a case and become a Confrère, you will only pay £96, saving £54 on the normal list price. A massive saving … not just once, but every year. It is entirely up to you whether you take cases of subsequent vintages, but it seems like virtually every Confrère does. Unsurprisingly.
And if you prefer, you can opt for a 12-bottle case for £192, saving yourself £108 on the normal list price.
or call us on 03330 148 200.
Since 1985 the Confrères have supported the development of what I insist has become their vineyard - a remarkable one - by simply putting their name down for a 6- or 12-bottle wooden case of the next vintage to be released. It is so important to us; allows us to keep on investing and improving.
We've been lucky to have a great run of vintages recently – 2014 through to the latest release vintage 2018 – and these wines have been clocking up lots of Golds. In total, Château La Clarière has won over 50 Golds and resulted in me being awarded Chevalier de Mérite Agricole. This wine is rich, structured and long. It is a young wine and will age, but already makes delicious drinking.
In fact, we have included this wine in tastings to Confrères, even though it's young. And those who've tried it love it, with all its creamy black fruit and tobacco notes.
Many Confrères also pay us a visit. I have said for years that I reckon wine merchants keep the best part of wine for themselves, and that's wrong. I want to share with my Confrères not just a superb wine at an unbelievable price, but to invite them to the wonderful place it comes from.
Our house is a mile or so away from the château. I walk there through the lower vineyards. I cross the road and call in at the chai - the immaculate winery - if there's some work going on. I walk on through the courtyard into the new barrel hall. Those immaculately lined-up rows of new barrels - the smell alone is worth the visit. At some point I will usually tackle the hill, up behind the château, climbing through the three terraces and the 'Bois Jolie' to the great top vineyard and its views along the Dordogne Valley to the tower of Saint-Émilion. It is glorious up there. Vineyards everywhere, churches, little farms and great châteaux.
I thought it was paradise 50+ years ago. I still do.
Reserve either a six or 12-bottle case of Château La Clarière below and become a Confrère. We'll send you a welcome pack in the next couple of weeks. Do look out on the website page for special offers on tiny volume wines we've made exclusively for Confrères.
We'll also arrange for your name to go on the château's honour roll and of course you are welcome to visit anytime.
2018 rewarded those vigilant in the vineyard. A wonderfully rich, ripe vintage with fruity depth
2018 rewarded those vigilant in the vineyard. A wonderfully rich, ripe vintage with fruity depth