In Bond Fine Wine. 2022 Château Clerc Milon, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. Fifth Growth • Red Bordeaux in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 97/100 (JD). Drinking window: 2027–2063. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Chateau Clerc Milon, Fifth Growth in Pauillac, has seen a remarkable rise in quality and reputation under the stewardship of the Baron Philippe de Rothschild family since 1970. Situated between Mouton Rothschild and Lafite, its 41-hectare vineyard benefits from prime terroir, planted to a classic Left Bank blend. Recent investment in the winery and vineyard management has elevated quality, especially since 2016. Standout vintages include 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Antonio Galloni (AG) — 90/100 · Vinous, 28/01/2025 · Drink 2027-2042
The 2022 Clerc Milon is a dense, powerful wine. Dark fruit, leather, licorice, spice, menthol and chocolate are all dialed up. The 2022 offers a good bit of presence, but it also remains rather compact and unyielding at this stage. Both wines from Clerc Milon were more impressive from barrel. I suspect the 2022 may be going through a period of bottle shock. Time will ultimately tell.
Jeb Dunnuck (JD) — 97/100 · JebDunnuck.com, 27/02/2025 · Drink 2033 - 2063
The finest example of the chateau I've tasted, the 2022 Chateau Clerc Milon is deep purple-hued with a sensational perfume of creme de cassis, spring flowers, spicy oak, and graphite. It's full-bodied, concentrated, has a weightless mouthfeel, and beautiful tannins, all making for a riveting Pauillac. It needs a decade of bottle age to hit prime time, but this is another truly special 2022 that r…
Neal Martin (NM) — 92/100 · Vinous, 12/02/2025 · Drink 2030-2055
The 2022 Clerc Milon was shaded by the d'Armailhac when compared out of barrel. That is still the case in bottle. This is more backward and a little taciturn by comparison, though still attractive with blackberry, wild hedgerow and touches of iodine. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a succulent, fleshy opening. It is a more approachable Clerc Milon than other vintages, though d'Armailhac ju…