Dubai International Airport retail outlet Le Clos has this year seen a “marked increase” in the number of wine and spirits connoisseurs seeking out exclusive vintages and brands.
The store, which launched in October 2008 as a luxury fine wine and spirits retail venture for Maritime & Mercantile International (MMI), reported that it was enjoying “remarkable” weekly sales of the world’s most iconic wines from the lauded 1982 vintage, including Château Latour, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Petrus and Château D'Yquem.
The sale of the oldest and most expensive bottle of wine from the store to date, a Château Latour 1947 magnum — as reported on HME.com in February of this year — highlighted growing consumer confidence in the market, according to head of Le Clos Ben Odgers.
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Odgers added that the outlet’s first-year sales had surpassed expectations — “especially given the current climate”.
“Given the right product, in a great environment supported with knowledgeable and friendly staff, we have found a real niche with an increasing number of loyal customers,” he said.
In addition to strong iconic wine sales, single malt purchases are also on the rise.
Le Clos has sold three bottles of The Macallan Lalique 55 Year Old — with only 420 individually numbered bottles ever made, this is one of the world’s rarest malts from one of the most revered distilleries in Scotland.
The popularity of exclusive single malts was also demonstrated earlier this week, when Spinney’s Abu Dhabi announced that it had secured two rare crystal decanters of 55 and 57 Year Old Single Speyside Malt whisky — contained in precious Lalique bottles designed by Rene Lalique in 1910 — for Emirates Palace.
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