Clos Hédoné

In an established region like Bordeaux, discovering a new estate to challenge the existing names is always exciting and we’ve done just that with Clos Hédoné. It’s a domaine headed for greatness and it’s offered exclusively by Lay & Wheeler in the UK. It hails from St-Emilion, one of the most sought-after Right Bank communes. Clos Hédoné was started by two friends, Arnaud Lagardère and Christophe Pavageau and 2019 was their first vintage. They wanted to make a wine which challenged perceptions and pushed the boundaries of Bordeaux. Its name reflects their ethos - to make a wine they enjoy drinking, and to further distinguish themselves from their peers they have chosen a bottle shape that hasn’t been used since the 19th century.

Their winemaking credentials are world-class: Arnaud is cellar master at Guillot-Clauzel in Pomerol, the tiny, cult-like estate now managed by Guillaume Thienpont of Vieux Château Certan. Christophe is a fifth-generation winegrower from St-Christophe-des-Bardes, a tiny commune in the St-Emilion appellation. Together, they grow Merlot and Cabernet Franc on the limestone and clay soils of their single, 1.8 hectare vineyard and craft their wine in a simple cellar with just 4 stainless steel tanks and a single row of barrels. They only make a few thousand bottles each vintage and a Bordeaux of this quality won’t stay under the radar for long.