2016 Château Clerc Milon
Producer: Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Region: Paulliac, Bordeaux
Country: France
Grapes: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenère
Vintage: 2016
ABV: 13.5%
Vivino: 4.2
Drink By: 2040
Occasional Wine Note: We were privileged to be invited to an exclusive Mouton Rothschild tasting and really just expected to replenish our stock of their flagship wine, but ended up leaving with just about the whole lineup. This powerhouse has so much going on. Beautiful dark ripe fruit. herbs and spices, caramel, great tannin. Wow! This one will probably be better in a couple years, but if you must, we recommend decanting.
James Suckling
Critic Score: 96
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.
Decanter
Critic Score: 96
Always more muscular and powerful than Armailhac, there's no surprise that this has closed down more than its sibling. The complexity of the layers are still on display, showcasing fresh menthol, cranberry, white pepper, black olive, rose and blackberry, all wrapped up in a tight tannic hold. There are some wonderful toasted caramel notes, subdued but rich and tight, waiting to show their exuberance on the finish. There's no doubt that this is as good as I thought en primeur, but it needs time to open up, and I would suggest the full 10 years. 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere finish up the blend.