Wine Advisor
Clerc Milon 2006
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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
Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. The Clerc-Milon ’06 has a rich, opulent nose (more like d’Armailhac!) with blackberry, cassis and black plum with hints of honey inflecting the fruit interlaced with prominent new oak, then a touch of tobacco developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied, saturated tannins lending this a fleshy texture, gentle but persistent grip, hints of graphite and cedar with a controlled opulence towards the modern-style finish. This is a well-crafted Clerc-Milon. Tasted January 2010.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A brilliant success for Clerc-Milon, this deep ruby/purple-hued blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc exhibits notes of espresso roast, chocolate, cedar, and copious amounts of black currant fruit. It is a medium to full-bodied, pure, rich, layered, intense effort built along the lines of the 1996, but with more forward fruit at present. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, the 2006 has a classic, conservative Pauillac bouquet of graphite and sous-bois with just a hint of mint. There is nothing flamboyant or ambitious but it is beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins. It is more approachable than the 2005, more open and generous with a fleshy, pure Merlot defining the focused finish. This is drinking beautifully now, but it has the structure to last another decade. How much it will actually improve is another matter. Drink now-2023. Tasted April 2013.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Mouton Rothschild. A touch of brine on the nose that is a little pinched, then a barnyard note that I rarely find on Clerc Milon. The palate has good concentration through, good acidity and a touch of liquorish on the mid-palate. More savoury that I expected: this Clerc Milon has character but misses a little breeding. Tasted April 2007.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
From the same stable as Mouton Rothschild and d’Armailhac, Clerc Milon, despite the relatively high percentage of Merlot (44%) combined with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc, is dense, rich, tannic, and backward. Surprisingly muscular for this offering, which often exhibits a more precocious side, it offers up abundant amounts of creme brulee, chocolate, cedar, and black currants. This full-bodied Pauillac displays gorgeous purity and depth as well as moderately high tannins in the finish. Because of its freshness, structure, and density, it is reminiscent of a 1996 Medoc. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Mouton-Rothschild. Whilst there is certainly more fruit intensity on the nose than the 2007, it does not have quite the same clarity and sense of minerality, although there are some lovely notes of blackcurrant coulis, raspberry and a touch of violets coming through. It becomes more expressive with time in glass. The palate is quite fleshy for Clerc-Milon (perhaps texturally similar to d’Armailhac) with plump tannins, rounded blackberry and strawberry fruit inflected with a touch of smoke and tobacco. Expressive, a wine that really wants to be loved although perhaps the 2007 has a little more poise and elegance. Drink 2011-2016+ Tasted September 2008.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright ruby-red. Expressive aromas of currant, tobacco, graphite, herbs, roast coffee and smoky oak. Supple, solid and broad, with a mouthfilling fleshiness leavened by good energy and vinosity. There's a medicinal reserve to the redcurrant and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes broad and long, with substantial dusty tannins and very good length. A more muscular style than Armailhac, also from the team at Mouton-Rothschild, and in need of at least five years of cellaring.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Ruby-red. Plum, currant, graphite, cedar and smoky, nutty oak on the nose. Big, round and spicy, with lovely mid-palate fat and sweetness to the enticing currant and coffee flavors. This has very good breadth, although Dhalluin finds it vertical today and feels it has suffered more from the recent fining than either d'Armailhac or Mouton. But there's excellent supporting material here for the wine's tannins.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(50% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot and 6% cabernet franc) Deep ruby-red. Musky, low-pitched aromas of currant, plum, dark chocolate and roast coffee. Bigger and denser than the Armailhac tasted alongside it, but a bit less expressive today in the middle palate, with a more medicinal character and less floral lift and elegance. Plenty of acidity and tannins here (the pH is a moderate 3.64). Finishes with a note of licorice.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Château Clerc-Milon has a very respectable bouquet: red fruit rather than black, laced with tobacco, woodland and dried herbs aromas, quite Saint Julien-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, succulent opening: blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with salt and a dash of white pepper that leave the mouth tingling on the Merlot-driven finish. Tasted January 2016.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2006 Clerc Milon has an outgoing nose with lifted, well-defined blackcurrant and light cedar scents – a little more chutzpah than the d'Armailhac. The palate is medium-bodied and lightly spiced with supple tannins, just fading a little towards the finish due to age. It will not improve further in bottle, so do not hesitate to drink now.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Aromas of currants and dark berries with hints of minerals. Full body with super-integrated tannins and a slightly austere and intense tannin backbone. But it’s pretty and attractive. Drink or hold.
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)2001(4)2003(2)2004(2)2005(3)
Package Size
12 x 75cl
