Château Clarke is a 135-acre Cru Bourgeois estate in Listrac, in the Medoc. It was established in the 12th century when Cistercian monks at a nearby abbey planted vineyards. It was later purchased by an Irish man named Tobie Clarke and in 1973 it was acquired by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, who had the estate entirely replanted and renovated. The estate is planted to 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. About 250,000 bottles are produced annually. The estate also makes rose and white wine. Robert M. Parker Jr. notes that “Clarke has had a very successful early decade of the 21st century and has emerged as one of the best estates in Listrac. The wines are dark, rich and concentrated…”