Chateau Clarke Haut Medoc Listrac Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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. In 2021, Benjamin Rothschild passed away. Today, the estate is managed by Ariane Rothschild. In 2023, Chateau Clarke finished a multi-year renovation of the entire estate and a modernization of their cellars.

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.

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.

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.

Chateau Clarke also utilizes 3 hectares of vines for white Bordeaux wine grapes which are planted to 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Gris and 10% Muscadelle used to produce 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.

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

In addition to wine, the estate also produces agricultural products including cheese, Bries de Meaux and Bries de Melun, which are both soft, rind cheeses, and even better, Brie de Meaux Fermier, which is stuffed with black truffles and a soft rind cheeses filled with walnuts and honey.

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 4-7 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