Chateau Clarke Haut Medoc Listrac Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Chateau Clarke

Learn everything about Chateau Clarke Haut Medoc with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Clarke History, Overview

Chateau Clarke dates back to the late 1700s when it was founded by Tony Clarke, which following the custom of the time, took its name from the estate’s founder, or current owner.

The vineyard has only changed hands two more times over the centuries. In 1820, the St. Guirons family bought the property and it remained in their hands until 1973 when Chateau Clarke was purchased by Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

At the time of the sale, the estate had become quite dilapidated. The vineyards needed replanting, the chateau, cellars, and wine-making facilities required extensive renovations.

The vineyard demanded a new drainage system and if that was not enough, it was determined that entire sections of the vineyard needed to be ripped out and replaced.

Purchasing Chateau Clarke seemed like an odd choice for Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Forget all the work and expenses that needed to be done.

You need to keep in mind that Edmond de Rothschild was probably the wealthiest member of the famous Rothschild family and he was also one of the majority owners of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

So with all that money, the question remains as to why he bought Chateau Clarke, instead of any number of better Left Bank estates with great terroir, remains a mystery. He definitely had his work cut out for him.

It was at that point in time that the Listrac vineyard was completely changed, and for the better. Previously, the Medoc vineyard was planted to a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. With the clay-rich soils and cooler terroir, Merlot was a much better fit.

Baron Edmond de Rothschild brought in Emile Peynaud to consult, who was replaced by Michel Rolland who continues to advise on the vineyard management and winemaking for Chateau Clarke.

After the Baron died in 1997, control of the estate was passed to his son, Benjamin Rothschild. Benjamin Rothschild is also the largest shareholder in Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

Chateau Clarke Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 58-hectare Listrac vineyard of Chateau Clarke is planted to 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The terroir is clay, limestone, and gravel soils. As you find more clay than gravel in the soil here, it was natural for the vineyard to have more Merlot plantings.

The best part of the vineyard is close to the peak of the appellation at 35 meters, with its clay and limestone soils.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,000 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are 30 years of age. Chateau Clarke also utilizes 3 hectares of vines for white Bordeaux wine grapes which are planted to 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon, and 15% Muscadelle.

To produce the wine of Chateau Clarke, vinification takes place in a combination of oak tanks and stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The red wine of Chateau Clarke is aged in up to 80% new, French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months before bottling.

Chateau Clarke also produces a small amount of white Bordeaux wine, Le Merle Blanc de Chateau Clarke. The white wine is aged in 35% new, French oak barrels for up to 6 months before bottling.

In 1982, under the advice of Emile Peynaud, they produced a wine using 100% Merlot! There is a second wine, Les Granges des Domaines Edmond de Rothschild. Chateau Clarke produces on average close to 25,000 cases of wine per vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Clarke are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Clarke, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Clarke needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Clarke is usually better with at least 6-9 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Clarke offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-14 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau Clarke with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Clarke is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau Clarke is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Clarke is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta as well as cheese.

The Benjamin Rothschild side of the Rothschild family owns 2 other estates in the Haut Medoc appellation, Chateau Malmaison and Chateau Peyre-Lebade.

The same branch of the Rothschild family also owns vines in other Bordeaux appellations in the Right Bank: Chateau des Laurets in Puisseguin, St. Emilion, Chateau Malengin in Montagne St. Emilion, and vineyards in New Zealand and South Africa.

In Mendoza Argentina, they own numerous estates including Flechas de Los Andes in a partnership with Laurent Dassault from Chateau Dassault in Saint Emilion.

www.cver.fr

Château Clarke Wine Tasting Notes

13 Vintages 39,056 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 90
Floral, fruity, and fresh, with blackberries, and chocolate-accented black currants and cherries, the wine is medium-bodied, creamy, and fruity from start to finish. Chateau Clarke is one of the very few wines in the Medoc that is planted to 100% Merlot. Drink from 2025-2038. 89-91 Pts.

Floral, fruity, and fresh, with blackberries, and chocolate-accented black currants and cherries, the wine is medium-bodied, creamy, and fruity from start to finish. Chateau Clarke is one of the very few wines in the Medoc that is planted to 100% Merlot. Drink from 2025-2038. 89-91 Pts.

445 Views   Tasted
2020 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 89
Chewy, leafy, savory, earthy, chalky currants with leafy accents and a hint of spice is what you will find in the nose and on the medium-bodied, fresh, earthy, classic, slightly rustic palate. Drink from 2023-2038.

Chewy, leafy, savory, earthy, chalky currants with leafy accents and a hint of spice is what you will find in the nose and on the medium-bodied, fresh, earthy, classic, slightly rustic palate. Drink from 2023-2038.

366 Views   Tasted
Sweet, ripe black cherries and earth form the core of this wine. Medium-bodied, with a dusty textured finish, this will be fine to drink and enjoy in its youth. 87-89 Pts

Sweet, ripe black cherries and earth form the core of this wine. Medium-bodied, with a dusty textured finish, this will be fine to drink and enjoy in its youth. 87-89 Pts

1,010 Views   Tasted
2019 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 89
Fresh, bright, soft and savory, with a tangy, crisp, red pit fruit-focused, medium-bodied palate and a tangy finish. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and will be best in its fruit-forward, exuberant youth. Drink from 2022-2032.

Fresh, bright, soft and savory, with a tangy, crisp, red pit fruit-focused, medium-bodied palate and a tangy finish. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and will be best in its fruit-forward, exuberant youth. Drink from 2022-2032.

1,985 Views   Tasted
2018 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 87
Medicinal cherries, spice and tobacco leaf aromas mesh with ripe, sweet lush cherries, dusty tannins and black raspberries with olives in the medium-bodied finish. Chateau Clarke is one very few wines in the Medoc planted with a preponderance of Merlot.

Medicinal cherries, spice and tobacco leaf aromas mesh with ripe, sweet lush cherries, dusty tannins and black raspberries with olives in the medium-bodied finish. Chateau Clarke is one very few wines in the Medoc planted with a preponderance of Merlot.

1,460 Views   Tasted
Ripe, round, medium-bodied, sweet and with plenty of dark red berries and thyme to go around, you can drink this early in life. Chateau Clarke is one very few wines in the Medoc planted to 100% Merlot. 86-88 Pts

Ripe, round, medium-bodied, sweet and with plenty of dark red berries and thyme to go around, you can drink this early in life. Chateau Clarke is one very few wines in the Medoc planted to 100% Merlot. 86-88 Pts

2,256 Views   Tasted
2017 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 88
Fresh, bright, crisp, medium-bodied wine in a classic style, focused on its red currants, herb, cedar and earthy character.

Fresh, bright, crisp, medium-bodied wine in a classic style, focused on its red currants, herb, cedar and earthy character.

1,709 Views   Tasted
2017 Château Clarke Le Merle Blanc  (Bordeaux) 86
Bright, fresh, crisp, light yellow citrus with a touch of flowers and honey on the nose and palate make this perfect for easy summer quaffing. This is fully developed and should be opened over the next year or two.

Bright, fresh, crisp, light yellow citrus with a touch of flowers and honey on the nose and palate make this perfect for easy summer quaffing. This is fully developed and should be opened over the next year or two.

1,013 Views   Tasted
2016 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 87
Medium-bodied, classic, firm, bright, crisp and fresh, the sweet and tart red berry fruit shines easily in the nose and on the palate here.

Medium-bodied, classic, firm, bright, crisp and fresh, the sweet and tart red berry fruit shines easily in the nose and on the palate here.

4,569 Views   Tasted
2015 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 85
One of the few wines in the Medoc with vineyards planted to 100% Merlot, the wine is light to medium bodied, with a crisp bright, red berry, cedar and tobacco character with some tartness in the finish.

One of the few wines in the Medoc with vineyards planted to 100% Merlot, the wine is light to medium bodied, with a crisp bright, red berry, cedar and tobacco character with some tartness in the finish.

2,041 Views   Tasted
The wine is medium bodied and focused on fresh, red fruits, leaving you with a sweet and tart, clipped finish. 84-86 Pts

The wine is medium bodied and focused on fresh, red fruits, leaving you with a sweet and tart, clipped finish. 84-86 Pts

2,363 Views   Tasted
2014 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 85
Medium bodied, austere, bright, spicy, earthy, sweet and tart red fruits that is quite classic in style.

Medium bodied, austere, bright, spicy, earthy, sweet and tart red fruits that is quite classic in style.

3,330 Views   Tasted
2012 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 85
One of the few wines in the Medoc with vineyards planted to 100% Merlot, the wine is medium bodied, focused on fresh, red fruits, leaving you with a sweet and tart, clipped finish.

One of the few wines in the Medoc with vineyards planted to 100% Merlot, the wine is medium bodied, focused on fresh, red fruits, leaving you with a sweet and tart, clipped finish.

2,182 Views   Tasted
Perhaps the only 100% Merlot wine from the Medoc is more on the tart, bright, crisp strawberry and red cherry side of the style range. This will be best in its first few years of life.

Perhaps the only 100% Merlot wine from the Medoc is more on the tart, bright, crisp strawberry and red cherry side of the style range. This will be best in its first few years of life.

2,264 Views   Tasted
2010 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 88
Simple and easy drinking, with a soft, black cherry, thyme and espresso bean, medium bodied personality for early drinking. Made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Simple and easy drinking, with a soft, black cherry, thyme and espresso bean, medium bodied personality for early drinking. Made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

3,651 Views   Tasted
2009 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 89
Soft, open and with quite a bit of charm in its earthy, cassis and thyme filled personality, the generous finish has a nice supple quality.

Soft, open and with quite a bit of charm in its earthy, cassis and thyme filled personality, the generous finish has a nice supple quality.

4,535 Views   Tasted
2005 Château Clarke  (Listrac-Médoc) 84
Stoic and firm in character, the nose, with its tobacco, wet earth, spice, cassis and cherry aromatics are the best part of the wine. There is an austerity on the palate that will definitely appeal to lovers of older, so called classic wines more than it did to me.

Stoic and firm in character, the nose, with its tobacco, wet earth, spice, cassis and cherry aromatics are the best part of the wine. There is an austerity on the palate that will definitely appeal to lovers of older, so called classic wines more than it did to me.

3,877 Views   Tasted