DUBAI, UAE, October 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Le Clos retails a limited edition Balthazar of Château Margaux 2009

Exclusive wine merchant Le Clos unveiled today a Balthazar (12 L) of Château Margaux 2009 at the cost of USD 195,000, making it the world's most expensive bottle of red wine to ever be retailed. Le Clos, the game-changing retailer of fine wines and luxury spirits, is the globally exclusive partner selected to offer the Château Margaux Balthazar which is on display at Le Clos' flagship store at Dubai International.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131010/644257-a )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131010/644257-b )

This is the first time in the history of Château Margaux that Balthazars have been bottled. The 2009 vintage, which can be aged for over a century, is widely reputed to be one of the best vintages ever produced by Château Margaux. Only six Balthazars have been produced, of which only three will be offered for sale; all available exclusively through Le Clos. The 12 litre Balthazar is housed in an impressive case of oak and raised on steel legs symbolising the barrels resting in the Château Margaux cellars. Beautifully engraved with gold by master craftsmen, the Balthazar's visual appearance is eclipsed only by the quality of wine itself. 

Its owner will enjoy a priceless experience - being flown first class to France to visit the first growth's estate, enjoying a private tour of its cellars and vineyard, before having dinner at the Château hosted by Paul Pontallier, Chief Winemaker and Managing Director of Château Margaux.

The Château Margaux 2009 is undoubtedly one of the best vintages produced since the Mentzelopoulos family took over the ownership in 1977. It is a wine of wonderful concentration, finesse, balance and freshness. Its finish remains fresh, flavoursome and of astonishing length.

Speaking about Le Clos' selection as the exclusive wine retailer of the Balthazars of Château Margaux 2009, Oliver Dixon, Head of Fine Wine at Le Clos, said: "To be given this honour by Château Margaux underlines Le Clos' position as a world leader in bringing rare fine wines to market. We are immensely proud to display this limited edition of the Balthazar of Château Margaux 2009 at our flagship store in Dubai Airport's Terminal 3."  

Mr Pontallier commented: "To mark this fantastic vintage, we are delighted to create a unique opportunity by partnering with Le Clos to offer three Balthazars to the world's international and discerning wine buyers. Château Margaux's history stretches back over 400 years, during which the estate has produced some of the world's best wines time and again. The Château Margaux 2009 vintage is one of the finest we have ever produced, hence why we chose to bottle it in this magnificent format."

The famous vineyard of Château Margaux sits on top of one of the deepest gravel deposits in the Medoc area of Bordeaux. It is this lightness of soil and depth of gravel that give Château Margaux its perfumed nose, elegance and poise.

Notes to Editors:

About Le Clos

Le Clos strives to continually create a unique shopping experience offering many of the best wines and spirits from around the world, while providing customers with a superior level of services in-store, from our highly qualified team of professional advisors, to our innovative services such as personalised bottle engraving, tasting area, interactive whisky experience, concierge style arrivals service and also our online services, which enables customers to make their selection prior to arriving at Dubai International. Le Clos is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is owned by MMI. http://www.leclos.net

All Le Clos' outlets are located within Dubai International Terminal 3 Departures, the recently opened flagship store is located at gate A1 in Concourse A, the original outlet is adjacent to gate B8 on Concourse B. Also, located inside the Emirates First Class Lounges and between the Emirates First and Business Class Lounges in Concourse B.

Le Clos awards and milestones

2009

Best New Liquor and Wines Store
(Duty Free News International Awards)

Travel Retail Operator of the Year
(Drinks International Travel Retail Excellence Awards)

2010

World record duty free sale of wines and spirits

2011

World's Number One Wine Store
(La Cav Magazine)

Further details can be found at http://www.leclos.net.

About MMI

MMI is a dynamic marketing, sales and distribution organisation. A passionate group committed to delivering and enjoying sustainable, profitable growth by achieving leadership though excellence in our chosen beverage categories and markets. MMI is headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with joint venture operations in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Thailand. MMI is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group. Our long standing operation in the market has given us a unique understanding and respect for both the cultural differences and common interests in this diverse society. At every interaction with our portfolio, events and outlets we strive to bring more to the lives of our customers and consumers, through innovations such as the award winning and 'game changing' Le Clos fine wines and luxury spirits retail concept.

About Château Margaux

Since the 17th Century, the first wine of Château Margaux has been recognised as being one of the greatest wines in the entire world. It owes its unique qualities to the genius of its terroir as well as to the passionate work of a succession of generations. It's a remarkable wine that comes from a combination of characteristics that are only rarely found: finesse, elegance, complexity, density, intensity, length and freshness.

The great vintages are distinguished by their formidable ability to move us. The lesser vintages give pleasure to wise enthusiasts. They offer the advantage of evolving more rapidly and, reveal, after a few years, instead of power, this subtlety that is the prerogative of great terroirs.

Château Margaux has an extraordinary ability to evolve. Over the years, it has developed a finesse, an aromatic complexity and a remarkable presence on the palate.

http://www.chateau-margaux.com

Press contact:
Thomas Conway-Gordon
Impact Porter Novelli (for Le Clos)
Dubai, U.A.E.
Tel: +971(0)50-954-7854 (Mobile)
Email: t.conway-gordon@ipn.ae

SOURCE Le Clos