If a leg of lamb is on the cards over the Bank Holiday weekend, or the coming weeks or months, then this mature Bordeaux would meet the brief to perfection.
Château Clarke 2015 was acquired by the Rothschild stable in 1973. The 55-ha estate was completely overhauled, and the focus of the regenerated estate was to produce the finest wine from this relatively small area: the property lies in the appellation of Listrac-Médoc, sitting on the western edge of the Médoc with a total size of only 422-ha. This is not meant to be a wine to put aside for 20 or more years, but has been painstakingly crafted and is at its peak.
2015 was a classic vintage. The very warm summer saw almost perfect growing conditions in Bordeaux, albeit with a significant amount of rain during August, an improving return to normality during early September, then intermittent light rain during the harvest created no further problems. Overall, a great year with an abundance of wines to choose from.
Merlot is the primary component in this 2015 accounting for 70% and Cabernet Sauvignon making up the balance: relatively unusual for a Médoc wine. However, not that uncommon: many a good Cru Bourgeois use Merlot as their main varietal to create a wine that is ready for early-ish consumption.
Arrive for a lunch with a couple of bottles, and make sure the host opens them. They will be delighted with your selection.
Château Clarke 2015
Beginning to show signs of age on the rim of the glass. The nose is classic dried black fruits with additional flavours of earthy components - forest floor, touches of leather - and savoury elements of spice combined with light mocha tones. On the palate is an excellent harmony of dried plum and black cherry alongside tobacco leaf, fine tuned tannins, and a long enticing finish. There is an embracing warmth and friendliness in this wine that is rather seductive. It is not a massive blockbuster, but rather like coming across an old friend who you have not seen for a while, it rekindles memories of other classic Bordeaux wines that you have enjoyed and this 2015 demonstrates very skilled winemaking.
£38.00 - Waitrose
