Château Clarke 2018
Grape Varietals: 70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Region: Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux - France
Chief Winemaker: Fabrice Darmaillacq
Château Clarke takes its name from an Irish family who bought this estate back in 1771. After more than two centuries of wine-growing tradition and several owners, the property was purchased by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1973. The vineyard was completely restructured and a large investment plan implemented to completely renovate the estate and improve the winemaking and storage facilities. Today the vineyards cover some 55ha, with vines growing in a specific mix of limestone and clay, which is ideal terroir to express the essence of the Merlot varietal, which is the predominant grape in this blend, and somewhat of a rare occurrence in the Médoc. With a passion for excellence and the best things in life, Baron Edmond de Rothschild has a vision to make Château Clarke a respected style for this area in Bordeaux.
The carefully selected fruit was all hand-picked and sorted in the cellar prior to destemming and then a period of cold soaking before the start of fermentation. Diligent vinification took place in a combination of oak vats and stainless-steel tanks, with the malolactic fermentation taking place in French oak barrels. The wine was then aged in a mix of aged barrels with up to 80% being new oak. The wine was rested and developed in French oak barrels for around 16 to 18 months before tasting and bottling.
★ On the nose you have inviting aromas of ripe mixed wild berries, mild cacao, and adroit smoke-dried forest herbs. These ripe berry fruits generously flow across the palate, infused with those cacao, cigar embers and deft oak all wrapped with supported fine grained tannins. Resulting in a rounded texture and a soft-edge structure that showcases the wines refined style, grace and smooth lingering dry finish.
This 2018 Château Clarke Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon has 14% Alc./vol. Classic dry style. Mild decanting for 30-40 minutes and serve in a generously shaped red wine glass at 17°- 18°C. - *NZ$80.00
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Article Posted 9/6/23)
With mild decanting, drinking well this season; and should age nicely for another 5 - 6 years.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with bbq’d or smoked pork or lamb cutlets, with a classic steak frites, mild game cuisine with a herb-wine-jus, earthy vegetarian dishes, and aged hard cheeses - enjoy.
