Wine Advisor
Clerc Milon 2001
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Description
A wine with considerable ageing potential made in the traditional Médoc way, Château Clerc Milon is the result of a particularly successful marriage between gravel and clay-limestone terroirs and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Powerful, tannic, full-bodied and rich in fruit, it also has all the typical elegance of the finest Pauillac wines.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A much more refined nose of red-berried fruit, cedar, earth and gravel: very harmonious and well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied, well-defined with good definition though conservative, a more “traditional” claret with a cedar and tobacco-infused finish. Very fine though note great length. Tasted October 2007.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2001 Clerc Milon is undeniably a sleeper of the vintage, and an effort that may actually turn out better than the brilliant 2000. The blend has changed since I tasted it last year and is now 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. A roasted espresso character in the nose, along with melted chocolate, licorice, creme de cassis, and new oak jumps from the glass of this impressive, sweet, expansive, full-bodied Clerc Milon. This is impressive stuff, pure, dense chewy, and sexy. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Philippe Dhalluin remembers tasting this vintage on his first day at Mouton. A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2001 Clerc Milon has a much fresher, more vital nose than the 2000 with dark berry fruit, clove and bay leaf notes. It has fine definition and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, good grip and plenty of weight and dimension towards the slightly rustic finish. All in all, this is an impressive Pauillac in terms of length and power and should continue to drink well for a decade. Drink now-2025. Tasted April 2013.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
First tasted in July 2003. This is more complex than the Chateau D`Armailhac tasting alongside at the tasting room at Mouton. Dark black fruits and iodine. The palate is rounded, quite gamey with svelte Merlot rich tannins. Quite elegant on the finish. Very stylish - I like this wine a lot. Drink within 5-8 years. Then at the IMW tasting in November 2005. A very intense, quite elegant nose of blackberry, cigar box and "antique bureau" (it brought to mind the one in my living room.) The medium-bodied palate has a meaty, gamey character with a leafy, almost herbaceous, smoky finish. Moderate length. More forward than I anticipated so drink over 5-8 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2001 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest primarily Merlot with some Cabernet Franc. It exhibits notes of roasted espresso, creme de cassis, licorice, and fudge. It is concentrated for a 2001, with moderately high tannin, and impressive intensity as well as grip. While it is easy to be underwhelmed by this offering, given how spectacular the 2000 is, the 2001 is another strong effort from Clerc Milon. This medium-bodied Pauillac will be at its finest between 2007-2016.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Tasted on three separate occasions, this 2001 did not perform nearly as well from bottle as it did from cask. A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits aromas reminiscent of a Starbuck espresso, melted licorice, black currants, cherries, cedar, a notion of dried herbs, and elevated oak. With attractive texture and firm tannin in the finish, it requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 14-15. While it is an excellent, medium-bodied Pauillac, it is nowhere near as impressive as I anticipated from cask.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2001 Clerc Milon has a lovely bouquet that puts the 2000 in its place with exuberant black cherry and bilberry fruit, estuarine scents and hints of orange blossom and iodine. Wonderful! The medium-bodied palate offers succulent tannins and vibrant red berry fruit laced with white pepper and cedar. Very harmonious, with impressive weight toward the finish. This is cruising at its peak, and given this showing, it will continue to offer great pleasure. One to seek out.
About the Producer
A legendary terroir, prestigious neighbours, a providential encounter: the history and the success of Château Clerc Milon are summed up in these three words. The terroir is that of Pauillac, where some of the world’s finest wines are made. The neighbours are Mouton and Lafite, illustrious First Growths whose nearby vines can be seen from the terrace of the Château. The encounter was with Baron Philippe, who in 1970 acquired the then badly neglected estate and decided to restore it to its status as a Classified Growth. Now, thanks to Baroness Philippine, Clerc Milon, one of the most highly regarded châteaux in the Bordeaux region, can boast technical facilities and reception areas worthy of its reputation.
1949(2)1995(2)1996(2)1998(2)1999(1)2000(5)
Package Size
12 x 75cl
