Château Clarke | Listrac-Médoc

Château Clarke takes its name from the Irish family who bought this estate in 1771. After more than two centuries of wine growing tradition and successive owners, the property was purchased by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1973. The vineyard was completely restructured and massive investments were undertaken in order to renovate buildings and improve wine making and storage facilities. With a passion for excellence and the best things in life, the Baron made Clarke a benchmark for the whole region.

Château Clarke is to be found in the southern part of the Médoc within the Listrac-Médoc appellation. Its inland location is far from the Gironde estuary in the middle of the limestone plateau and a distinctive feature of the estate’s clay-limestone soil is its remarkable drought resistance. The proximity of the Atlantic Ocean gives a cool freshness that is echoed in the wine’s bright bouquet. Though Cabernet Sauvignon is traditionally king of the region, the Château’s terroir is very well suited to growing Merlot and this varietal accounts for 70% of the estate’s production. Thus, Château Clarke is typical of the Médoc, but in an entirely original way. 

Château Clarke is one of the rare Médoc estates to produce a white wine. Le Merle Blanc is part of the Château’s heritage, because it has existed since the 19th century (1890). Much-appreciated and widely-known, this white wine once accounted for up to a quarter of the Château’s entire production. Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle and Sémillon, which are used in the Le Merle Blanc blend, occupy a small, three-hectare space for limited production.

Elegant, fine and dense, embodying the typical character of its terroir, Château Clarke is considered one of the most promising wines in the Médoc. Today's focus on excellence aims to bring out its full potential, both in the vineyard and in the cellar and to elevate Château Clarke to rank amongst the greatest Médoc wines.