ASC and Dilong Distillery continue their partnership, with high-quality Bordeaux still favored by the Chinese market

Lifestyle | Ku Le Zhi

Recently, His Royal Highness Prince Robert of Luxembourg (His Royal Highness Prince Robert of Luxembourg), Chairman and CEO of Domaine Clarence Dillon (Domaine Clarence Dillon), returned to China after more than a decade. This visit not only marks the continuation of a historic partnership with ASC Fine Wines (ASC Fine Wines) but also a grand celebration with Chinese wine enthusiasts commemorating twenty years of friendship. The core of this celebration is the Clarendelle (Clarendelle) family wine series, which reached a milestone of 20 years in China—demonstrating the family’s long-term commitment to introducing Bordeaux elegance and contemporary spirit to a new generation. China has always been, and will continue to be, a vital strategic market for Domaine Clarence Dillon.

Through professional masterclasses, a VIP dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, and cultural exchange activities at the Rosewood Guangzhou, Prince Robert will personally share stories, heritage, and the art of winemaking from his family estate.

Clarendelle: The Gateway to a Great Family

Founded by Prince Robert in 2005, Clarendelle aims to allow a broader audience to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of his family’s winemaking philosophy. Inspired by Château Haut-Brion (Château Haut-Brion)’s philosophy and blending techniques, the Clarendelle family wine series offers a contemporary, approachable expression of Bordeaux wines. It is designed for the new generation of young wine lovers, meeting their pursuit of authenticity and elegance in daily life.

Since its introduction to China by ASC Fine Wines in 2006, Clarendelle has become the entry point into Domaine Clarence Dillon’s world, beloved by many. Celebrating 20 years of Clarendelle in China reflects this enduring connection. Its modern spirit is also reflected in its international role: Clarendelle, together with Château Haut-Brion, showcased its red, white, and rosé wine series at the 98th Academy Awards® and the Oscar Museum, adding a touch of contemporary culture to its story.

Legendary Foundation: Château Haut-Brion

At the heart of Domaine Clarence Dillon’s world is Château Haut-Brion—a legendary estate and a symbol of Bordeaux’s enduring legacy. Its story carries unparalleled heritage—vines have been cultivated on its gravelly soils since the 1st century AD; since at least 1521, wines have been produced under the same name for over five centuries. By any standard, it is one of the world’s oldest luxury brands.

For those eager to enter this historic and exceptional world, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (Le Clarence de Haut-Brion) opens the door to Château Haut-Brion, allowing one to savor its heritage. The family’s passion for preserving wine culture is also embodied in the Château Haut-Brion Library—a private collection of the world’s largest collection of wine and culinary ancient texts, a global archive of culinary history.

Rising Star: Château Quintus

Adding a forward-looking and culturally resonant dimension to the family estate portfolio is Château Quintus (Château Quintus), a shining star of Saint-Émilion (Saint-Émilion), representing the region’s extraordinary terroir. Since 2011, Prince Robert has been dedicated to creating a new chapter here, gathering several historic and exceptional terroirs to craft a premium Saint-Émilion wine defined by balance and harmony.

The estate’s iconic symbol is a majestic bronze dragon sculpture perched atop its high promontory—a winged Western dragon chosen by Prince Robert to symbolize wisdom, foresight, and the guardian spirit protecting hidden treasures.

Château La Mission Haut-Brion: The Connoisseur’s Choice

Another key member of the family’s three extraordinary estates is Château La Mission Haut-Brion (Château La Mission Haut-Brion), a wine renowned for its rare depth and spiritual richness, often described as the true choice of connoisseurs. Located on the same magnificent gravelly plateau as Château Haut-Brion, its wines are celebrated for their exceptional aging potential and profound character.

Family’s Chinese Affinity

Domaine Clarence Dillon’s respect for Chinese culture is not recent but spans multiple generations. This tradition was deeply influenced by Prince Robert’s grandfather, the late Douglas Dillon (Douglas Dillon). His vision led to the establishment of the Douglas Dillon Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Over thirty years, this effort has ensured that the treasures of Chinese civilization are celebrated on the global stage.

This cultural appreciation spirit is also reflected in more recent history: Château Haut-Brion has been chosen to host official banquets for the highest Chinese delegations at Versailles (Château de Versailles) and Buckingham Palace (Buckingham Palace). A story of silent diplomacy and shared exquisite taste.

Future-Oriented Partnerships

To realize this vision in China, Domaine Clarence Dillon has renewed and deepened its long-term partnership with ASC Fine Wines. Under this expanded agreement, ASC will be the exclusive importer and distributor of the Clarendelle family wine series, while strengthening cooperation across the entire iconic estate portfolio.

In an interview with Jiemian News, Shen Pin, Chairman and CEO of ASC Fine Wines, stated that the current Chinese wine market is facing not short-term fluctuations but “structural changes”—consumers are shifting from relying on regional reputation and inertial consumption to decision-making based on personal choice, authenticity, value, and experience. For him, this is also the reason why Domaine Clarence Dillon and ASC are deepening their cooperation at this new stage: leveraging the authentic history represented by Château Haut-Brion and Clarendelle as a clear entry point into Domaine Clarence Dillon’s world, they can establish a narrative better suited to the new generation of Chinese consumers.

“Today’s consumers care more about authenticity and value than ever before,” Shen Pin pointed out. Clarendelle embodies the authenticity of the Haut-Brion spirit lineage and has a clearer value proposition, making it more compelling in today’s and future Chinese markets than fifteen or twenty years ago. He also emphasized that brand communication must be coordinated with distribution systems: not only telling the story clearly but also enabling consumers to easily find, taste, and understand these wines after being moved.

Prince Robert stated that Bordeaux today is no longer just an object of “consumption,” but a lifestyle choice that illuminates life’s moments. For Domaine Clarence Dillon, it’s more important to tell a long history and to integrate product quality, elegant style, and drinkability into the current Chinese lifestyle. He specifically mentioned that several of the group’s wines are aged longer in cellars before release to better suit immediate enjoyment; meanwhile, Clarendelle, with the same winemaking team and blending philosophy, serves as an important gateway into the worlds of Château Haut-Brion and Domaine Clarence Dillon.

Both parties also acknowledged that China’s current market faces oversupply and price pressures. Bordeaux, as one of the most open trading categories, especially needs stronger channel discipline and price management. Shen Pin believes establishing a more standardized distribution approach is key to re-establishing differentiation and trust for high-quality Bordeaux in China; Prince Robert added that, given the global shift in consumption focus, China and Southeast Asia will remain long-term markets, and brands with a solid history, provenance, and complete distribution systems will attract more focused attention in this new phase.

“I am very pleased to return to China and stand shoulder to shoulder with our long-term partner, ASC Fine Wines,” Prince Robert of Luxembourg said. “My family’s story with ASC began with a handshake and a shared vision. Today, as we celebrate Clarendelle’s 20th anniversary in China and embark on the next chapter, that vision continues and elevates. Whether it’s our family’s historic estates or the Clarendelle family wine series, we are committed to sharing Bordeaux’s elegance, authenticity, and art of living with China.”

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