Clarke and sister property Malmaison look to be sold performers, making satisfying, attractive clarets.

Château Clarke 1996
Deep red/purple colour with a lightly muted nose. Lovely dense, mineralic, tannic palate with good balance and lots of fruit. Good concentration and nice balance. Powerful wine with a bright future ahead of it. Very good+ (Fine and Rare have this for £125 per case ex VAT)

Château Malmaison 1995
Lovely sweet open nose showing ripe fruit and a touch of caramel. Good balance on the palate: cedary, taught fruit with some tannins and good balance. A nice claret. Very good+

(Tasted November 2000)