2018 Chateau Clerc Milon - 5eme Cru Pauillac

Decanter.com - 96 pts - JA: *This is an extremely successful Clerc Milon in a run of great vintages at the property. Lovely purity, clear big tannins, and real poise and tension. Persistent, succulent, full of cassis, liquorice and crushed mint. Seriously impressive and will go the distance. Harvest from 17 September to 10 October. Blend completed by 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère.* - 10/2020

Falstaff Magazin – 96 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Kräuterwürze, zart nach Velours, reife Kirschfrucht, kandierte Orangenzesten, tabakige Nuancen. Straff, engmaschig, feine Beerenfrucht, reife, tragende Tannine, mineralischer Kern, salzig im Abgang, extraktsüßer Nachhall, feines Nougat im Rückgeschmack, zeigt Länge und Reifepotenzial. (2025–2050).* - 02/2021

*The 2018 Clerc Milon is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère. Grapes were harvested a bit later here than at Mouton, from September 17 to October 10. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with bold scents of warm cassis, blackberry compote and dark chocolate with hints of Morello cherries, baking spices and dried roses plus a waft of underbrush. It has a wonderfully rich, confidently sensuous palate with plenty of spicy layers and a velvety texture, finishing long and perfumed. This should age incredibly.* (93-95/100)

Vinum Magazin – 17,5/20 pts: *Besitzt aromatische Komplexität, Mineralität und grosse Rasse, langes, unglaublich fruchtiges Finale, erstklassiges, knackiges Tannin: superb, abgefüllt 18 Punkte wert!*- 06/2019

WeinWisser – 18,5/20 pts – GL, TW: *Dichtes Purpurrot. 60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 % Cabernet Franc, 27 % Merlot. Was für ein Parfüm nach reifen Pflaumen, Brombeergelee und Bakkarat-Rosen. Im zweiten Ansatz Nougatpralinen und Cassisdrops. Am mittleren Gaumen mit cremiger Textur und anschmiegsamen Tanninen, zarte Eisennote und wie ein schnittiger Sportwagen. Im energiegeladenen Finale ein Feuerwerk aus purer schwarzer Frucht, Holundergelee und endet mit zartem Biss. Hat mich schon während der Primeurs völlig in seinen Bann gezogen – ganz klare Kaufempfehlung!* – 04/2021

*This is well-built, with a sleek and persistent structure carrying energetic cassis, damson plum, violet and iron notes. Offers a long, pure, almost chiseled finish. A strong showing.-J.M.* (93-96/100)

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5/20pts – JR: *Tasted blind. Not the most concentrated crimson. Light, fresh and zippy. Compact and undramatic with just a hint of something green on the palate..* - 01/2022

JamesSuckling.com - 95-96pts - JS: *Very generous and dense with layers of gorgeous blackberries and blueberries. Full-bodied and so layered with fantastic tannin backbone at the same time.*
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JamesSuckling.com - 95pts - JS: *Blackcurrants, tobacco, graphite, cloves and dried leaves on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Structured and compact with a long, mineral finish. Tight and austere. Very pretty structure here. Wait until 2025.* - 01/2021

Vinous.com – 93 pts – AG: *The 2018 Clerc Milon is showing beautifully today. Gorgeous savory notes from the Cabernet Sauvignon open first, showing the modern direction of Clerc Milon towards a more Cabernet focused wine. Dried flowers, menthol, licorice, graphite and black cherry are all laced together effortlessly. The tannins have settled down a bit since en primeur, which is a very good sign for the future.* - 03/2021

*This spicy wine has an undertone of oak that adds to the richness. While there is a dense blackberry flavor, the bright acidity shines through to lighten it up. It´s a fine wine with plenty of aging potential.* (93-95/100)

Vinous.com - 92 pts - NM: *The 2018 Clerc Milon has a nicely detailed bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, light cassis and iodine aromas gently unfurling from the glass, the new oak neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-infused black fruit. Quite a strict and linear Clerc Milon, it is classic Pauillac from start to finish. The pencil-lead-tinged, quite sinewy finish lingers wonderfully. Give this 3-4 years in bottle and then serve with a simple meat dish.* - 03/2021

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 95 pts – JL: *This is clearly a new level of quality for Clerc Milon. The wine opens with a touch of smoke, crushed rock, violets, crème de cassis and spice. Elegant, soft, refined and fresh, the fruit feels just great on your palate with the perfect amount of vibrancy, giving you lift and more than ample fruit offering you length. From a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% old vine Carmenere, the wine is 14.15%. Clearly, this is the best vintage ever produced at Clerc Milon! .* - 03/2021