Domaine Clarence Dillon, owner of Chateau Haut-Brion, has bought Saint Emilion classified growth Chateau Tertre Daugay.
The 16ha estate, planted to 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, has been owned by Count Léo de Malet-Roquefort of Maison Malet Roquefort since 1978.
In recent years, it has been run by his son Alexandre de Malet-Roquefort, with Stéphane Derenoncourt as a consultant.
Tertre Daugay is considered by critics to have excellent though under-exploited terroir – although Decanter described the 2005 as the ‘best-ever’ from the property.
It was demoted in the controversial 2006 St Emilion classification, to be reinstated in 2010 after the classification was contested by several chateaux.
The Malet-Roquefort family continue to own Chateau La Gaffelière.
Prince Robert of Luxembourg, owner of Haut-Brion, commented on the Domaine Clarence Dillon website, ‘Our family company looks forward to returning this great estate to its former glory’.
Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux