La Chimère de La Clarière 2020

Blending claret with a riper style of Rhône red may seem revolutionary, but dates back before appellation controlée rules and was common until the 20th century. It was often nicknamed La Travail à l’Anglaise – ‘the English way’ – because its style was aimed at the English palate. A rich, lusciously ripe red that is ready for drinking right away. Just recently Château Palmer revived the tradition, charging almost as much per bottle (over £220) as they do for their Grand Vin! So Tony Laithwaite asked our winemakers Jean-Marc and Mark to make one as good (but thankfully at a fraction of the price). Think of it as a fattened up version of La Clarière, a large portion of claret with well-ripened, top-quality Rhône Syrah, all aged in cask.