{"id":9334,"date":"2023-07-25T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grape-to-glass.com\/?page_id=9334"},"modified":"2023-07-30T11:55:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-29T23:55:34","slug":"chateau-clarke-trio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/grape-to-glass.com\/index.php\/chateau-clarke-trio\/","title":{"rendered":"…charming trio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t

Ch\u00e2teau Clarke – a new 50th Anniversary: 25 July 2023.<\/h3>\nCh\u00e2teau 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, so now celebrating 50 years in 2023. 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 M\u00e9doc. With a passion for excellence and the best things in life, \u2018Edmond de Rothschild Heritage\u2019 has a vision to make Ch\u00e2teau Clarke a respected style for this appellation in Bordeaux.
\nToday, Ch\u00e2teau Clarke is headed and diligently guided by Ariane de Rothschild, with a vision clearly focused on memorable hospitality and gastronomy. I was recently invited to have an insightful tour of their vineyards, winery and cellars, plus guided through a comprehensive tasting of their wines. Along with enjoying this vertical trio, in their semi-suspended glass tasting room which over looks their vineyards *(shown below). Along with having the generous opportunity to stay the night in their charming accommodation set on the property.
\n*(The following wines are available online, and with a short time in your cellar and mild decanting, a charming introduction to Bordeaux red wine).\n\t\t\t\t\"Ch.Clarke-Sml-Bottle-15\"\n\tCh\u00e2teau Clarke 2015
\nGrape Varietals:<\/strong> 70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
\nGrowing Region:<\/strong> Listrac-M\u00e9doc, Bordeaux – France
\nChief Winemaker:<\/strong> Fabrice Darmaillacq
\n4 Stars \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 \nThe Merlot was hand-picked from late September to early October and the Cabernet Sauvignon in early October. After diligent vinified in oak vats and stainless-steel tanks, malolactic fermentation occurred in French oak. Aged in a mix of aged barrels with around 65% being new oak. The wine developed in French oak for around 16 months before bottling.
\n\u2022 This wine has subtle aromas of mixed forest berries, cacao, deft smoked oak, and dried spice. These berry flavours confidently engage the palate, with a broad structure, defined by medium toast oak and well supported by fine grained tannins, resulting in a smooth texture. This wine is currently in a slightly disjointed stage in its ageing, I would suggest giving it 6 months to reharmonize to present its true signature. *(Tasted: 7th July 2023)\n

\u2022 Mild decanting & serve between 17\u00b0- 18\u00b0C : 13.5% Alc. – Classic Dry Style : Cellar 3 – 4 years : *NZ$80.00 <\/p>\n\tCh\u00e2teau Clarke 2016
\nGrape Varietals:<\/strong> 70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
\nGrowing Region:<\/strong> Listrac-M\u00e9doc, Bordeaux – France
\nChief Winemaker:<\/strong> Fabrice Darmaillacq
\n5 Stars \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 \nThe Merlot was hand-picked from late September to early October and the Cabernet Sauvignon early-to-middle October. Vinification in oak vats and stainless-steel tanks, malolactic fermentation occurred in French oak. Aged in a mix of aged barrels with around 65% being new oak. The wine aged in French oak for around 16-18 months before bottling.
\n\u2022 On the nose you have inviting floral aromas, with mixed wild berries, cacao, along with infused tasted-oak and forest herbs. Those ripe red & dark berries generously engage the palate, infused with an earthy cacao, tobacco leaf, all nicely wrapped in deft oak and harmonious fine grained tannins. Resulting in an charming texture and a softly-edged structure that gives focus to the wines approachable style, poise, and appealing dry finish.\n

\u2022 Mild decanting & serve between 17\u00b0- 18\u00b0C : 14% Alc. – Classic Dry Style : Cellar 7 – 8 years : *NZ$80.00 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Ch.Clarke-Sml-Bottle-16\"\n\t\t\t\t\"Ch.Clarke-Sml-Bottle-18\"\n\tCh\u00e2teau Clarke 2018
\nGrape Varietals:<\/strong> 70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
\nGrowing Region:<\/strong> Listrac-M\u00e9doc, Bordeaux – France
\nChief Winemaker:<\/strong> Fabrice Darmaillacq
\n4 Stars \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 \nThe hand-picked fruit was diligent vinified in a combination of oak vats and stainless-steel tanks, with the malolactic fermentation taking place in French oak barrels. Then aged in a mix of aged barrels with up to 80% being new oak. The wine rested and developed in French oak barrels for around 16 to 18 months before tasting and bottling.
\n\u2022 On the nose you have refined aromas of ripe mixed red & dark forest edge berries, mild cacao, and adroit smoke-dried wild herbs. These ripe berry fruits meaningfully 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 dovetail structure that showcases the wines refined style, grace, and smooth lingering dry finish.\n

\u2022 Mild decanting & serve between 17\u00b0- 18\u00b0C : 14% Alc. – Classic Dry Style : Cellar 5 – 6 years : *NZ$80.00 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Ch-Clarke-3-wines-Bottom-Banner-01\"\n\tThese charming Bordeaux wines are available from Fine Wine Retailers \u2022 Restaurants \u2022 Wine Bars & Winery Website.
*(prices, vintages & availability will vary by outlet & country)\n

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