What claret lover doesn’t dream of slowly uncorking a bottle from one of the truly great names?

As fine wine guru Robert Parker says, the romance of pouring something from a famous château “has a grip and allure that are hard to resist”. And the wines – sublime, hedonistic luxury … like nothing else on earth!

But, as we all know, that privilege will cost you a pretty penny (or three!) – particularly if the name you have chosen belongs to the classified elite.

How a 164-year-old list created the most exclusive and expensive wine club the world has ever seen …

In 1855, the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce ranked the best 61 châteaux into five top divisions. These are the sought-after first, second, third, fourth and fifth “growths” – the classified wines of Médoc and Graves. It is the gold standard for the finest claret there is – and the barometer for the highest prices.

Which makes this 50th anniversary opportunity unique.

Here you can enjoy a BIG classified name at a fraction of the price of the £100-plus Grand Vin … just £19.99.

L’Epiphanie de Saint-Estèphe is a revelation. It comes from a true jewel of Bordeaux – an estate founded over two centuries ago and the most expensive vineyard in Saint-Estèphe. Across the stream from Château Lafite, this is the northernmost part of the Médoc – and no less prized. The 2009 and 2010 vintages of the château received perfect 100-point scores from The Wine Advocate.

On the A-list since 1855 – “now producing some of its best wines ever”

(wineinvestment.com)

The only thing we cannot reveal is the name of the château. This is privileged, private access, something only 50 years of on-the-ground wine merchanting delivers. But we can tell you the château was classified a second growth in 1855 – and there are only two second growths in Saint-Estèphe, both pictured! There’s even a cheeky clue on the label – look closely at the etching on the bottle …