Critic Ratings & Tasting Notes
Decanter 93/100
“Fragranced red cherries and plums on the nose with freshly picked strawberries. Chewy and ripe, with lovely concentration and tannin texture here, lifted and alive. Succulent and round, broad and really complete. Lovely accents of spice, bitterness, minerality and density from the fruit and tannins. Super fun and really vibrant and alive. 1% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. Aged 18 months, 55% new barrels. pH 3.72.”
James Suckling 94-95/100
“Very well-made, showing warm bread and graphite to the darker fruit. Not quite dense, this is balanced, juicy and supple in the center, showing a mix of black and red berries and cedar in the finish. Medium- to full-bodied, focused and nicely structured. It has fine, firm tannins and a long, nuanced finish. Classic Bordeaux without any sweetness.”
Jeff Leve – The Wine Cellar Insider 92-94/100
“Flowers, black cherries, currants, spice, and tobacco form the core here. The wine is bright, fresh, crisp, gentle, and minty, with a refreshing note on the finish. While this will be delicious when young, give it some time in the bottle, as it will improve with age. Picking took place September 7-September 29. The wine blends 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenere. 13.5% ABV, 3.83 pH. Picking took place September 24 – October 6. Drink from 2028-2045. 92-94 Pts”
Vinous 91-93/100
“Notes of sweet cassis, pencil shavings and creamy new oak introduce the 2024 Clerc Milon, a medium-bodied, taut and lively wine built around chalky tannins.”
An exceptional Pauillac wine
The property
The Château Clerc Milon, located in Pauillac in the prestigious Bordeaux region, is a 41-hectare vineyard, classified as a 5ᵉ grand cru in 1855. Acquired in 1970 by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, it has been modernized with ecological facilities, including a gravity-fed cellar. Today led by Camille, Philippe Sereys and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, the estate stands out for its commitment to the arts and its exceptional terroir, neighboring the famous Lafite and Mouton Rothschild.
The vineyard
The vineyard of Château Clerc Milon extends over 41 hectares in Pauillac, benefiting from an exceptional terroir composed of gravel and clay-limestone soils. The average age of the vines is 47 years, giving the grapes remarkable concentration and complexity. This mosaic of terroirs, typical of Pauillac, allows the production of wines of great finesse and beautiful depth.
The vintage
The year 2024 began with a mild winter with abundant rainfall, followed by an early bud break at the end of March. After a relatively dry April, May brought significant rains with cool temperatures. The mild summer gradually established a beneficial water deficit. The harvest, which began on September 24, ended in early October under a radiant sun, allowing a high-quality harvest.
Vinification and aging
After a rigorous selection of the grapes, the vinification of Château Clerc Milon 2024 was carried out in accordance with Bordeaux traditions. The aging continued for 18 months in French oak barrels, 55% of which were new, allowing the wine to develop its structure and aromatic complexity while preserving the fruit and freshness.
Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), complemented by Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (8%), and small touches of Carmenère (1%) and Petit Verdot (1%).
