Clerc Milon 2014

Both nose and palate have a strong black fruit character firm black cherry backed by fresher bramble. There is mid sweetness hints of black truffles the sweetness giving way to freshness firmness on the back palate yet the finish is sweet with fair depth. 2025-35

Clerc Milon is often a comparative bargain among Pauillac's classed growths and this is particularly true in 2014. Deeply coloured, vibrant and aromatic, it's a scented, complex wine with an undertow of acidity, well integrated tannins and the oak and concentration to age. Very attractive.

The 2014 Clerc Milon has a comparatively sultry bouquet, introspective with blackberry and briary scents, undergrowth and pencil lead. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, edgy and tensile with much more energy than the aromatics suggest. It does not have the ambition of the drive of d’Armailhac, but it feels long in the mouth thanks to that persistent graphite aftertaste. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2020 - 2040

The 2014 Clerc Milon is more backward on the nose compared to the d'Armailhac: quite sumptuous in style with black fruit, dark plum, vanilla and a pungent violet scent. The palate is wonderful: a fabulous line of acidity, tensile and focused, mineral and intense with blackberry, citrus fruit, bilberry and cedar towards the elegant, yet intense finish. There is something almost Lafite-like about this Clerc-Milon and in my book, there is nothing wrong with that. Drink 2019-2045

The Château Clerc-Milon 2014 contains less Merlot than usual as the old vines produced just 15 hectoliters per hectare. The blend consists of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère. Like the d’Armailhac '14, there is a sense of opulence on the nose, ripe blackberry intermingling with black olives. The palate is rich and quite tangy on the entry. This is a “full-on” Clerc-Milon, quite extravagant in the context of the vintage, not a shy Pauillac, perhaps due to that expressive old vine Merlot? There is a pinch of soy on the finish that continues onto the aftertaste. Feisty Clerc-Milon for those who want a bit of va-va-va-voom in their Pauillac. Drink: 2019 - 2038.

A linear and fine Clerc with iodine, red clay and blueberry character. Full body and fine tannins. Tight and refined. Very straight and racy.

Very dark crimson. Mineral lift on the nose. Quite zesty and lifted and savoury - but the fruit is a little raw. Lots of freshness but not too stringy. Although, as for Armailhac, it's a bit demanding and astringent on the finish. And does not last as long. Astringent finish. Lots of effort and density here. For the moment it's a bit brawny and angular but it should come right in the end. Drink 2023-2035