Château Clarke – 2010
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Introduction
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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.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Listrac-Medoc
- Composition: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Size: 55 ha (135.9 acres)
- Vine Age: 30 years
- Soil: Limestone and clay
- Density: 7,000 vines/ha
- Training: Natural grass cover, double Guyot
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): Merlot from October 4 to October 15; Cabernet Sauvignon from October 19 to October 20
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Vinification
- Fermentation: Vatting by gravity, cold maceration, vinification in wooden vat and stainless steel tanks. Pumping over and pigeage. Automatic thermoregulation system. Micro oxygenation in tank. Malo-lactic fermentation in new French oak barrels.
- Aging: 16 months, 100% in barrels (two-thirds new and one-third second fill)
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Technical Information
- Alcohol: 14.0%
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Tasting Notes
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Château Clarke 2010 has a beautiful crimson color with a deep purple rim. Intense flavor, dominated by aromas of fresh fruit (blackcurrant, cherry, plum) with slight notes of vanilla and spice (clove). The attack is full and round, with fine and dense tannins, which is the signature of a great vintage. The strong, natural acidity reinforces the freshness and offers a nice persistence.
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Images
Reviews
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Château Clarke – 2010 – Decanter – 91 Points
Deeper in colour than the 2009, as you might expect from a heftier vintage. This is ready to drink now, although fresh acidities abound, and concentrated black fruit notes are still evident meaning that it should stay the course for a good while yet, and is almost certainly not at its peak. Different style of pleasure here from the 2009 - more spice, cloves, cassis, the Cabernet Sauvignon showing dominance.