{"product_id":"merle-blanc-de-chateau-clark-2023","title":"Le Merle Blanc de Château Clarke 2023","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinery Background and History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eChâteau Clarke is a Bordeaux estate in Listrac-Médoc, acquired by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1973.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The property was revitalized under Rothschild’s ownership, with vineyard replanting and modernization.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Le Merle Blanc is the estate’s white Bordeaux expression, historically part of the Château Clarke heritage, revived under the Rothschild stewardship.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProducer and Winemaker\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe wine is produced by Château Clarke under Edmond de Rothschild’s direction, using their in house technical \/ cellar team.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The winemaking approach combines stainless steel and barrel regimes, with a portion of new oak used for complexity.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVineyards and Micro Climate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe grapes come from the 135-acre estate vineyard, with vine age of about 30 years in many blocks.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The vines are planted on clay-limestone soils, and vineyard management includes grass cover to encourage biodiversity and soil health.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The climate is Bordeaux\/Médoc — Atlantic influence, temperate, with moderate rainfall and warm summers mitigating extremes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVinification \u0026amp; Aging Methods\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAfter pressing and cold settling, fermentation and maturation occur on lees.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e About \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e25 %\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e of the wine is aged in new barrels, \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e25 %\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e in second-fill barrels, and the remaining in stainless steel for about six months.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The wine is finished with subtle oak influence to enhance complexity without overtaking freshness.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn the nose: intense aromas of exotic fruits, white pear, hints of flint, white flowers, and delicate oak.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e On the palate: ample and flavorful, balanced by fresh acidity, with citrus fruits, pear, subtle oak, and a crisp, elegant finish.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood \u0026amp; Wine Pairing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePairs well with seafood (oysters, scallops, lobster), white fish in citrus or herb sauces, shellfish, sushi, light poultry, and vegetable dishes. Also works with mild cheeses or light starters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eService Methods and Temperatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eServe chilled at around \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e8-10 °C\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Use a white wine glass with sufficient width for aromatics to open. No decanting necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStorage and Aging Potential\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBest enjoyed relatively young to preserve its aromatic vibrancy — ideally within \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 to 7 years\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Under good cellar conditions, it may retain quality somewhat longer, but the freshness will gradually soften.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape Varietals \u0026amp; Percentage Used\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e70 % Sauvignon Blanc, 10 % Sauvignon Gris, 10 % Sémillon, 10 % Muscadelle\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eABV (Alcohol by Volume)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e13 %\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScores\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e91 \/ 100\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e — James Suckling for the 2023 vintage\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e94 \/ 100\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e — Decanter (as cited by distributor)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jebsen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47922273779926,"sku":null,"price":320.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/5465\/4934\/files\/MerleBlancDeChateauClark.png?v=1773668079","url":"https:\/\/www.pinotera.com\/products\/merle-blanc-de-chateau-clark-2023","provider":"Pinotera Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}