At a glance

Producer

Château Clarke (Baron Edmond de Rothschild)

Region

Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Merlot (majority), Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$35-50 USD

Tasting profile

Ripe blackberries, cassis, plum, dried herbs, graphite, cedar, and subtle oak spice. Tannins are integrated, with good length and balanced freshness.

Evolution: Youthful fruit and oak have merged into a more complex, earthy palate with tertiary notes emerging (leather, tobacco, dried leaves).

At peak: Silky texture with pronounced secondary and some tertiary flavors, persistent finish, harmonious structure.

Structure

Acidity

Medium

Tannins

Medium to firm, now softening with age

Alcohol

13.5%

Aging potential

8-15 years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2023 to 2041

Optimal window

2020 to 2044

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Mature tannins, integrated fruit and oak, showing complexity but can evolve further

The 2015 is in its drinking prime, with ripe Médoc fruit now fully open and secondary bottle age notes developing. Likely to peak over the next 3-5 years before entering its gentle decline.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, beef ribeye, duck breast, mushroom risotto, hard cheeses (Comté, aged Gouda), or herb-crusted pork tenderloin.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (45-60 minutes) — To aerate and enhance aromatic complexity, and to soften any remaining tannic edges.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Integrated Pest Management (IPM), significant reduction of chemical inputs, grass between vine rows, water management; gradual move to more sustainable viticulture but conventional practices still in use for 2015. Some implementation of eco-friendly packaging since late 2010s.

Château Clarke has invested progressively in sustainability, achieving 'Terra Vitis' certification after the 2015 vintage. For 2015, sustainable practices were in use but not as advanced as later years. Limited chemical treatment, some biodiversity initiatives, and energy-efficient winery upgrades were underway. Packaging was traditional, without lightweight bottles for this vintage. Transport is typical for classified Bordeaux, so carbon footprint is moderate, especially for export markets. Overall, the estate demonstrates clear movement toward sustainability, but the 2015 bottling reflects a mid-point in this transition.