I’ve never had a drink with Demi Moore or Timothée Chalamet. Sebastian Stan and Zoe Saldaña have never asked me, “Want another?” But come this Sunday, I can take comfort in the fact these Hollywood luminaries and I will have had decent odds of sharing a bottle of wine.
When the 97th Academy Awards take place this Sunday, Domaine Clarence Dillon will be the exclusive wine poured at Hollywood’s biggest night. This will mark the third year the family-owned wine company will be the official wine partner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Founded in 1935, the winery specializes in Bordeaux and has been featured in several films and TV shows including The Crown and Succession.
The wines will be poured at both the Dolby Theatre and the Governors Ball after the Oscars ceremony and the official Oscars watch party at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. So while my invitation to the Oscars never made it to my address (I’m guessing Conan O’Brien was worried about another redhead stealing the spotlight), I can, at least, pretend to have had a night with the stars.
Domaine Clarence Dillon will be pouring five wines at the Oscars this year. The rarest is the 2021 La Clarté de Haut-Brion, of which just 1,000 cases were produced. The 2015 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a new addition to the lineup as well. Also on the menu are the Clarendelle Bordeaux White 2023, Clarendelle Bordeaux Red 2016, and Clarendelle Amberwine 2021.
I didn’t get a chance to taste all five. That might have resulted in me trying to sing along with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo—and, trust me, no one wants that. But I did sample the white Bordeaux and the red Bordeaux.
If you’re thinking of having an authentic Oscars party during this weekend’s Hollywood spectacle, here are my impressions of both vintages.
Clarendelle Bordeaux White 2023
Of the two wines I sampled, this was unquestionably the more complex. It’s a 46% Sauvignon Blanc, so you’ll get the earthy green apple and pear you often encounter with that varietal. There’s also a hint of lemon on the finish. Unlike a Sauv Blanc, though, it’s a very dry wine with a hint of sweetness up front. It’s a wine that will pair well with any spicy foods you have at your party—and one that goes down easy if you’re in a warm climate.
Clarendelle Bordeaux Red 2017
If you’re paying close attention, you might realize this is a different year than the red Bordeaux being poured at the Oscars. Blame a shipping error. Vintages can make a big difference in the quality of wine, but this varietal had a very sweet-smelling nose, yet was incredibly dry when tasted. There was no spice to it, nor a heavy tannin element. A bit of butter up front gave way to a fruit-forward red. It’s 74% Merlot, and that’s noticeable. It’s not complex, but it’s a wine that grows on you—especially when you opt against aerating it.