Grape

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot

Its Origins

Château Clerc Milon, a 5th Growth Pauillac estate remained in obscurity until its acquisition by Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1970. The château, which in reality is no more than a small, rather plain-looking house, is located in the small hamlet of Mousset, in the north of Pauillac. Clerc Milon's 32 hectares of vineyards are located on a gravel ridge between the vineyards of Mouton-Rothschild and Lafite-Rothschild. Clerc Milon's wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It is matured in oak casks (30% new) for 18 months. Clerc Milon is now owned by Baronne Philipine de Rothschild, with Patrick Léon as managing and technical director. The wine is lighter in style and more forward than Mouton - it does not require the extended cellaring that is mandatory for Mouton and can be approached 5-7 years after the vintage. A notable bargain amongst Pauillac classed growths.

What The Critics Say

95/100 Decanter, Jane Anson

"The wine has the highest levels of Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1980s, and even on the nose you can feel its impact in terms of the depth of tight black fruit. Extremely good quality with fine tannins that build, build, build over the palate, and grip on, forcing you to slow down and pay attention. Beautiful spice with menthol, slate, pencil lead, blackberry and blackcurrant. An exciting wine with real energy and forward motion, helped to withstand the summer heat by its position by the river, and the fact that the average age of the vines at Clerc Milon is almost 50 years. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Jean Emmanuel Danjoy's last outing doing the full vintage at Clerc Milon before he heads over to Mouton as technical director." Drink 2028 - 2044

94-95/100 James Suckling

"A very tight, precise red with super fine tannins that are tight and focused. Medium-to full-bodied with linear tannins and a bright, vivid finish. It’s leaner and refined. Precise and driven. This is a very cabernet sauvignon-driven Clerc with 76% cabernet sauvignon."

92-94+/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

"The blend this year is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, harvested from the 19th of September to the 9th of October. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Clerc Milon starts out a little closed and broody, offering notes of tar, chargrill, tapenade and Marmite toast over an emerging core of stewed plums, black cherries and kirsch with a touch of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate delivers loads of freshness with crunchy black fruits and a lively line, backed up by grainy tannins, finishing long and savory."