Castle Clerc Milon - Pauillac 2014

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits noirs, cassis, bouche douce, élégante, fraîche, finesse, nettement au-dessus de son compère d’Armailhac, de l’éclat. 

Vinous

91-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco, new leather and licorice flesh out in the 2014 Clerc Milon. Deep and pliant to the core, the 2014 boasts notable resonance from start to finish. Although not a huge wine, the 2014 is long on finesse and class, with silky tannins that balance some of the more overt elements. Hints of cedar, tobacco, earthiness and herbs add the final shades of dimension. Today, the 2014 is quite inward and not fully expressive, but it is nevertheless absolutely impeccable. The blend is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Tobacco and forest floor infused with a spray of cedar, the wine is soft, polished, medium-bodied, fresh, complex, elegant and approachable. There is length and a suave charm in the zippy finish. Using 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% old vine Carmenere, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.5. 91-93 Pts

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

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.

Asian Palate

91-92 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Lifted, fresh with lively dark berry fruits with freshness and nice depth. Focused and elegant with polished tannins made from 58% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a well made Clerc Milon that has been consistently good over the past several years. In 2014, there is more freshness and good intensity. Great value at less than 40 euros per bottle.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/17/2015

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.

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

More briary, robust and structured than its stable mate d'Armailhac. Impressive vineyard depth – a serious Pauillac on top form. Drink: 2020-2035 (91)

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

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

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Fein würziges, blaubeeriges Bouquet, in gewisser Weise erinnert dieser Clerc-Milon in der Nase an einen wunderschönen, chilenischen Cabernet, weil er feine Eucalyptusspuren in sich birgt. Im Gaumen Black Currant, mit einer schönen Ration Fleisch bestückt, die gut stützenden Tannine sind bereits etwas angerundet. Das ist heuer ein ganz grossartiger Pauillac- Value! Drei Mal verkostet. 18/20 2022 – 2047

Wine Enthusiast

94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

93–95. Barrel Sample. Continuing its progress to greater and greater quality, this estate has produced a concentrated wine with great structure. The old Merlot vines yield a darkly tannic background that lies over the brilliant black-currant fruits.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015

Delightfully plump and juicy, with a core of fresh plum, blackberry and cherry fruit, lined with alder and dark tea notes. A long iron note is well-buried, and there's
more flesh here than in the d'Armailhac, with the tannins feeling rounder and more supp