Appellations

Clerc Milon 2017

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2017 Clerc Milon is painfully backward and austere. In a vintage in which so many wines are forward and fruity, Clerc Milon is the exact opposite. There is not much pleasure or immediacy here, that much is evident. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, leather and licorice add to the wine's dark personality. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère, aged in 50% new oak. After the frost, which did not really affect us, the major challenge in 2017 was heat stress," Mouton Technical Director Philippe Dhalluin told me. "We had no rain until the end of June. Then, in September, when we needed a bit of rain again, we got more than double what would have been optimal. The September rain affected the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, while the Cabernet Sauvignon was able to take advantage of the last 15 days of the growing season, which were much more favorable. In the cellar, we opted for longer macerations at lower temperatures, as we wanted to avoid extracting the type of hard tannins that mark other vintages with very dry summers, such as 2011.

Score: 88 - 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 May 2018

The 2017 Clerc Milon was picked from 13 to 29 September and matured in 50% new oak (which was represented in the blend tasted.) It has a more closed, backward bouquet compared to the sample of d’Armailhac. It actually reminds me of that other “Milon”, Duhart-Milon in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a fine bead of acidity, quite austere and conservative with a precise, pencil-lead, Valrhona chocolate and smoke infused finish that just pulls up a little short at the moment. Tasted three times with consistent notes.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2035 Date: 01 May 2018

Lovely fragrance of small dark berries. A light herbaceous note lifting it out of the glass. Smooth, polished though not particularly deep or long. Fresh and singing from the glass in a lighter and delicious style.

Score: 16 - 17 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2037 Date: 27 April 2018

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère, the 2017 Clerc Milon is deep garnet-purple in color and scented of crushed red and black currants, wild blueberries and black pepper with touches of cigar box, violets, underbrush and menthol. Medium-bodied and with a very firm structure of wonderfully ripe, pixelated tannins and exhilarating freshness, it finishes long with notes of pebbles and floral perfume.

Score: 93 - 95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 27 April 2018

The 2017 Clerc Milon checks in as a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot (the estate has Merlot planted on clay soils), 14% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot and Carmenère. It offers a beautiful yet tight, promising style as well as classic cassis and black cherry fruits, plenty of graphite and lead pencil, a solid, rich mid-palate, and ripe, present tannin. It should be accessible in its youth, yet better with short-term cellaring.

Score: 91 - 93 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 23 April 2018

Tight and compacted with chewy tannins and showing hot-stone, blackberry and blueberry character. Full body and a driven finish.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 06 April 2018

Crunchy plum and black currant notes are fresh and focused, while chalk, iron and savory details line the finish. Shows nice purity and minerally drive.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 04 April 2018

It's immediately obvious from both colour and first nose that this has a wonderful richness to it, offering powerful cherry pit, graphite and dark chocolate notes but without being overly sweet. A serious wine that is delivering on its potential, vintage after vintage. The Cab Franc vines are on limestone and clay here, and reached perfect ripeness. Overall there is a higher percentage of both Cabernets than usual in the blend. 9% press wine. 50% new oak.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2025-2038 Date: 01 April 2018