Fabrice Darmaillacq first started studying medicine but it was a number of minor roles in wine cellars that led him to discover his true passion was oenology. He then graduated with a degree in oenology from Bordeaux University and first started his career in Pauillac before heading for the Languedoc, as technical director for Ostal Cazes (Domaines Jean-Michel Cazes) where he created and developed the famous estate. With 13 years of experience under his belt, Fabrice decided to move back to Bordeaux in August 2016 to take on a new challenge at the head of Château Clarke: leading the wines to become some of the best in the region. Fabrice is married with three children and he is also a big rugby fan!

The estate is in the southern part of the Médoc within the Listrac-Médoc appellation. Its inland location is far from the Gironde estuary in the middle of the limestone plateau and a distinctive feature of the estate’s clay-limestone soil is its remarkable drought resistance. The proximity of the Atlantic Ocean gives a cool freshness that is echoed in the wine’s bright bouquet. Though Cabernet Sauvignon is traditionally king of the region, the Château’s terroir is very well suited to growing Merlot and this varietal accounts for 70% of the estate’s production. Thus, Château Clarke is typical of the Médoc, but in an entirely original way. Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle and Sémillon, which are used in the Le Merle Blanc blend, occupy a small, three-hectare space for limited production.