Fine Claret at the Coburg Bar

December, 2009

Many years ago, before the First World War, the esteemed Connaught Hotel in Mayfair was called the Coburg Hotel. In these days of a united Europe it is safe for the bar at this exemplar of luxury to be named once again the Coburg Bar. 

Now the Coburg Bar is run by an extremely energetic, passionate and amiable young chap called Mark Jenner who is justly proud of its décor, ambience, service and impressive selection of Champagnes, because a lot of thought has gone into creating a just so experience for the discerning visitor, right down to the style of music played. 

Since the Connaught’s refurbishment and reopening in late 2007, Mark and his colleagues have been developing a project for the Coburg Bar aimed at offering wines by the glass, wines that are “fine and rare, only a few left in existence, hand selected from the Maison or a collector’s cellar, personal touches from the Chef de Cave.” 

The Champagne list has been in place for some time with interesting and rare wines from Grand Marques such as Ruinart, Krug, Pol Roger, Henriot, Laurent-Perrier, Louis Roderer, Veuve Clicquot, Philipponnat ranging in price from £68 for a bottle of ‘R’ de Ruinart, Brut to £7,995 for a bottle of 1964 Krug. 

Recently the Coburg Bar launched a range of fine Bordeaux and White Burgundy by the glass to be served from a bespoke trolley. There are six carefully selected White Burgundies and six clarets served in fine Riedel glassware. 

The idea is that these wines may change every few weeks as they are often only available in minute quantities. Currently available are:- 

Burgundy White Wines 

2007 Chablis 1er Cru Montmain, Domaine Tremblay- glass £12.00, bottle £49.00 

2007 Rully 1er Gresigny, Domaine Boillot- glass £15.00, bottle £65.00 

2006 Meursault Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Nicolas Potel- glass £21.00, bottle £85.00 

2006 Puligny Montrachet, Domaine Blain Gagnard- glass £25.00, bottle £95.00 

2004 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru, En Virondot, Domaine Morey glass £29.00, bottle £125.00 

2003 Batard Montrachet, Domaine Leflaive - glass £80.00, bottle £355.00        

Bordeaux Red Wines 

2004 Château Potensac, Medoc- glass £14.00, bottle £59.00 

2004 Château Vray Croix de Gay, Pomerol- glass £18.00, bottle £89.00 

2004 Château D’Armailhac, Pauillac- glass £22.00, bottle £115.00 

2003 Château Malescot Staint Exupery, Margaux- glass £40.00, bottle £175.00 

1988 Château Ducru Beaucaillou, Saint Julien- glass £55.00, bottle £235.00 

2002 Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Graves- glass £95.00, bottle £495.00 

When asked if they had served any Chateau Haut-Brion at £95 per glass, Mark Jenner told me that one couple had enjoyed their first two glasses of this prestige claret so much that they decided to indulge in two more with dinner. By my reckoning at 175ml per glass it is better value to buy by the glass. 

The Coburg Bar offers a great opportunity to enjoy rare and high quality wines by the glass in plush welcoming surrounds. Perhaps the ideal bolthole for a high class wine lover’s assignation.

Coburg Bar

The Connaught
Carlos Place
Mayfair
London. W1K 2AL
United Kingdom

Tel: 020 7499 7070

www.the-connaught.co.uk