critic reviews
A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2% Carmenere, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Pastourelle de Clerc Milon has a deep garnet-purple color. It opens with earthy notes of fertile loam, tar, and moss, leading to a core of black cherries and redcurrants, with a touch of dried herbs. The light-bodied palate has a pleasant chewiness to the texture, a racy line with delicate red and black berry flavors, and a savory finish.
Edge of gunsmoke reduction, tannins just slightly angular, but love the savoury grilled edge to this, the smoked blueberry fruits and the floral aromatics. No new oak. 50IPT. 32% of the production of Clerc Milon in Pastourelle. First full vintage for new technical director Caroline Artaud, and the second year being sold En Primeur for this wine.
The 2021 Pastorelle de Clerc Milon comes from a barrel selection made in the winery. It has a straightforward, tertiary nose, as I found in barrel, though it needs to knit together just a little more. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly hard tannins on the entry, more elegant on the mid-palate yet still a little austere on the finish. It will appeal to those that like classical claret, though the growing season denied it the flesh seen in other vintages.
Aromas of sweet cherries, dark berry compote, spices and licorice introduce the 2021 Pastourelle de Clerc Milon, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and polished wine that's suave, succulent and charming, with powdery tannins and a mouthwateringly mineral finish.