Château Clerc Milon Rothschild, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2018
Philippe Dhalluin and his Mouton Rothschild team have made such strides at Clerc Milon over the last decade. The introduction of the second wine, Pastourelle has meant greater selection and the final wine feels more polished and refined. This is initially wonderfully perfumed with notes of black cherry liqueur, graphite, plums, flowers, umeboshi and dark chocolate. On the palate it is sumptuous and pure with wonderful density of fruit and plenty of glycerine. Perfumed dark cherries, menthol infused cassis, a nice mineral touch, garrigue, fine stones and a hint of cocoa nibs. This has a wonderful texture with swathes of sweet black fruit flecked with dark mineral notes. It is quite grandiose and very grown up for Clerc Milon. This feels like a new era for this 5th growth - the tannins have a new found quality; real precision, wonderfully judged with detailed nuances. It finishes with luxurious tannins coated in dark cherry fruit and minerals. Superb! 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère.
critic reviews
The 2018 Clerc Milon has a deep garnet-purple color. It delivers notes of stewed plums, boysenberry preserves, and cassis, with touches of cigar box and dried Provencal herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is taut and muscular, featuring firm, ripe, grainy tannins and youthful black fruits, finishing long and earthy.
Excellent quality, with abundant juice, slate tannins, plump black cherry, fig and blackberry fruit, ripe and rich in the character of the 2018 vintage but this is still a Pauillac with a firm voice. Eucalyptus, cocoa bean, turmeric, sage and liqourice add layers to the finish. Harvest September 17 to October 10. Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy technical director.
The 2018 Clerc Milon is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it has a very pure, beautifully delineated nose of crushed blackcurrants, fresh black plums and boysenberries with hints of wild thyme, damp soil, tar and black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate offers taut, muscular black fruit with loads of savory layers and a firm, grainy texture, finishing long and mineral tinged.
The 2018 Clerc Milon has a nicely detailed bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, light cassis and iodine aromas gently unfurling from the glass, the new oak neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-infused black fruit. Quite a strict and linear Clerc Milon, it is classic Pauillac from start to finish. The pencil-lead-tinged, quite sinewy finish lingers wonderfully. Give this 3–4 years in bottle and then serve with a simple meat dish.