Baron Philippe de Rothschild to release limited-edition Chilean red wine into global travel retail

Baron Philippe de Rothschild is to unveil a new premium limited-edition wine from its Escudo Rojo label  from September 2020. 

The wine has been named 2018 Escudo Rojo Baronesa P. in tribute to Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, and features five grape varieties. It has been produced from the premium French winemaker’s Maipo Valley vineyards in Chile, where the Baroness established the Escudo Rojo label in 1999.

The new wine’s great credentials have been highlighted by the internationally-acclaimed American wine critic, James Suckling, who has awarded Escudo Rojo Baronesa P. 97/100, an exceptional rating for a 2018 red wine vintage.

This score marks the new release out as a fine wine for laying down and makes it an ideal fit for the premium environment of airport retail. It is set to feature in the channel alongside other successful wines from Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Escudo Rojo and Mouton Cadet labels, which are listed with the likes of Dufry, Heinemann and airlines including Oman Air, Qatar Airways and Gulf Air in global travel retail.

With an RRP of US$55-60, just 1500 9-litre cases (18,000 bottles) of the wine will be available across travel retail and domestic markets.

It is produced in the Chilean Maipo Valley terroir, where Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s wine estate covers 60 hectares, and it has been aged for 14 months in French oak barrels. It is a blend of five grape varieties, led by Cabernet Sauvignon; the other varieties are Carmenere, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah.

According to Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the wine stands out for its complex fruit and spice aromas and flavours, its elegant, patrician tannins, and “the element of magic linked to its history”.

Henri Brunel, Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Director of Duty Free & Travel Retail, said: “We are very excited about the prospects for Escudo Rojo Baronesa P. and we are already receiving some significant advance orders for this exceptional wine. It will be a key product in our mission to grow the market for Chilean wines in global travel retail.

On the effects of COVID-19 on Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s travel retail business, Brunel said: “We had a great first quarter in 2020, reaching +40% growth year-on-year, but like other brands we have been hit hard by airport store closures in recent months in the face of the global pandemic.

“The September timing of Escudo Rojo Baronesa P.’s release will coincide nicely with the beginning of airport retail’s recovery and, with this great new product’s help, we expect to finish the year very strongly in the travel retail market.”

The wine is described as being intense and potent on the nose, with black fruit aromas and predominant notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry. Black pepper, cedarwood, vanilla and caramel gradually come through, and the mid-palate offers a natural freshness where Sichuan pepper and a hint of toffee appear, before a finish which is both powerful and elegant. 

16 June 2020 -