Chateau Haut-Brion in Bordeaux is one of the most famous wineries in the world. It was one of American President Thomas Jefferson’s favorites, and it’s also one of my personal favorites. I’m lucky to have been able to visit it and taste wines there five times in my life. But tasting the wine is one thing, and actually opening a bottle and savoring it with a few good friends is another. However, thanks to China’s dramatic economic development and the ever-growing demand for this wine, prices have reached stratospheric levels here, regularly fetching over ¥10K a bottle. If you want to get a taste of the same wine but only at a fraction of the price, then give Clarendelle a go. It’s a more affordable label from the same winery, like what Armani Exchange is to Giorgio Armani and Burberry Blue is to Burberry. Clarendelle Red 2005 (¥348), Clarendelle White (¥348) and Clarendelle Rose 2010 (¥269) are all available from ASC.