"Jane Anson, Decanter.com 90/100
Powerfully extracted, with clear efforts made to show a confident and finessed face of Cabernet. A little austere, edged with bitter coffee and chocolate on the finish. This is a concentrated wine with potential, but the tannins are extremely austere. A yield of 35hl/ha. 25% new oak, plus amphoras also used for ageing. Drinking Window 2024 - 2036 Primeur Tasting May 2021
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 90-92/100
The 202 Clarke is stellar, not to mention a wine of tremendous personality. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, leather, spice, menthol and scorched earth lend tons of aromatic and flavor complexity; there is real character here. Clarke is shaping up to be one of the sleepers of 2020. Drink 2026 - 2040 Reviewed June 2021
Neal Martin, Vinous.com 89-91/100
The 2020 Clarke has a lifted nose of blackberry, briar and cedar scents, quite Pauillac-like in style and very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, good weight and fine acidity, though the oak is a little dominant. Quite firm toward the finish, which coats the mouth. This is an assertive Clarke that just needs to manifest more refinement by the time of bottling. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2025 - 2040 Reviewed May 2021"
Château Clarke owes its name to an Irish family who bought the estate in the 18th century. Baron Edmond de Rothschild purchased Château Clarke in 1973 and entirely renovated it. The 54 hectares of vines grow on clay limestone rises perfectly suited to the Merlot variety (practically unique among fine Médoc estates). Since September 2001, the grapes have been hand-picked and brought to the cellar in small crates so as not to bruise them. They are then carefully sorted, crushed, and fermented in superb wooden vats. The wine is moved by natural gravity flow from the vat room to the cellar’s lower level, where it ages (essentially in new oak barrels) for 14-18 months. Reflecting its terroir, Château Clarke is concentrated and elegant. It combines power and subtlety, and has great ageing potential. Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has headed Château Clarke’s dynamic winemaking team since 1997, displaying a passion for excellence in keeping with his father’s vision. ©ugcb
