Chateau Clerc Milon 2016
Country
France
bottle size
750 ml
Wine Type
Red Wine
Wine Region
Bordeaux, Bordeaux - Pauillac
Grape Variety
Blended
vintage
2016 [**VINTAGE MAY CHANGE]
Alcohol
13%
characteristics
Body
Full
Full
Full
Acidity
High
High
High
Tannin
High
High
High
2016 [**VINTAGE MAY CHANGE]
Product Description
Climatic conditions
In 2016, there were two main trends in the weather as we experienced it in Pauillac:
– a very wet winter and spring: more than half of the annual rainfall came in the first four months of the year, including a record 240 mm in January;
– an extremely dry summer and autumn without any significant rainfall, resulting in a water deficit at the end of the year.
As a consequence of the summer drought, the grapes were numerous but remained rather small, making for density and concentration.
High temperatures in August and September allowed for slow ripening and excellent maturity, so that the harvest started with the Merlot on 26 September and continued in perfect conditions until 15 October.
In the vat house, each grape variety and each plot were, as usual, vinified separately in order to let their intrinsic character shine through.
The wines, which have now been blended, offer remarkable colour, intense fruit and spice aromas and a dense texture of very rich and well-rounded tannins.
wine score
95 points Wine Enthusiast
"Dark and concentrated, this wine offers depth and intensity. It has great ripeness as well as fine tannins that are integrated into the fruit. It is so juicy and exuberant that it’s hard to remember the tannins that will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2023."
94 points Wine Advocate
"The Cabernet Franc was fantastic this year, so it was all used in the grand vin. The final blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Clerc Milon leaps from the glass with beautiful scents of chocolate-covered cherries, plum preserves and crushed blackcurrants with suggestions of lilacs, cardamom, underbrush and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a firm frame of finely grained tannins and seamless freshness lifting the perfumed fruit to a nice long finish."
94 points Wine Spectator
"A fresh and stylish version, with chalky minerality running from start to finish. Succulent plum and cassis fruit flavors coil around this and absorbs this easily at first. Then pretty violet and lilac notes guild the finish, with the minerality taking a slightly firmer stand. Best from 2023 through 2035."
96 points James Suckling
"Hot crushed stones and dark berries jump out of the glass. Full body, very dense fruit and powerful tannins, yet it remains agile and bright with beauty and energy. So muscular and toned. Truly outstanding Clerc for the future. Unwavering nature to this. Try after 2024."
Profile
Grape Blended
55% Cabernet Sauvignon 29% Merlot 13% Cabernet Franc 2% Petit Verdot 1% Carmenère
Palate
An ample and precise attack ushers in a dense and creamy mouthfeel which offers a generous and well-balanced range of flavours. The mid-palate coats the mouth with blackberry and bilberry fla
Colour
The wine has a very deep, almost black colour with a glittering hue.
Aroma
The refined and elegant nose reveals intense ripe fruit aromas, mingled with liquorice and pepper notes.
Palate
An ample and precise attack ushers in a dense and creamy mouthfeel which offers a generous and well-balanced range of flavours. The mid-palate coats the mouth with blackberry and bilberry fla
Wine Pairing
:Beef
:Lamb
:Hard Cheese
Brand
