This morning Clerc Milon 2016 has release at £600 per case of 12 bottles, £300 per case of six. This represents a 17% euro increase on 2015, which translates as a 25% sterling increase on last year. The 2016 is potentially the finest ever from the Estate, something we will be saying frequently this campaign for the villages of Pauillac and St.Estpehe. It has been awarded 92-94 points from Neal Martin, placing it alongside the 2010, whose score we expect it to match from bottle. Clerc Milon has become a favourite during en primeur and the 2015 has risen 20% since last year. Volume is down 20% since last year and quality is up. We expect good demand and a sell out from Clerc Milon and given the location of the vineyard, its terroir and vintage premium, it is easy to understand why.
| Clerc Milon | WA | JS | Price | Release Price | POP |
| 2016 | 92-94 | 94-95 | £600 | £600 | 46 |
| 2015 | 91-93 | 94-95 | £575 | £480 | 48 |
| 2014 | 92 | 94 | £580 | £325 | 48 |
| 2013 | 87-89 | 90 | £560 | £330 | 70 |
| 2012 | 92 | 93 | £580 | £340 | 48 |
| 2011 | 88 | 93 | £600 | £380 | 75 |
| 2010 | 94 | 94 | £700 | £530 | 50 |
| 2009 | 92 | 94 | £690 | £400 | 58 |
| 2008 | 90 | 91 | £650 | £240 | 65 |
| 2007 | 89 | N/A | £595 | £250 | 66 |
| 2006 | 90 | 90 | £740 | £220 | 74 |
| 2005 | 93 | N/A | £750 | £270 | 58 |
Chateau Clerc Milon occupies a superb location overlooking the Gironde between Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild. Its vineyards are adjacent to Duhart Milon Rothschild whose name it shares in recognition of the tiny hamlet that both occupy in the north east of Pauillac. The Chateau derives its name from the Clerc family who purchased the Estate following the French Revolution in 1789 and John-Bapiste Clerc owned the vineyard in 1855 when it was classified a Fifth Growth. Following decades of arguments over ownership and neglect of the vineyards, the property was purchased by Baron Philippe de Rothschild who stated that Clerc Milon deserves a ‘rightful place’ alongside Mouton Rothschild and d’Armailhac. Clerc Milon boasts enviable terroir, situated on the Mousset crest, its gravel soils over a bed of clay and limestone are similar to Mouton Rothschild’s as are its flavour profiles of concentrated dark fruits and exotic spice. Since 1970, the family have turned the fortunes of the property around by investing heavily in infrastructure and technology, including adopting renewable energy sources and building a cutting edge environmentally friendly barrel hall in 2011. The wine produced at Clerc Milon 2016 stands face to face with its classified growth peers, it is one of the Estate’s finest ever vintages that will continue to develop over the next 30 years.
Clerc Milon 2016, 12×75 – £600 EP
92-94 Points, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
The 2016 Clerc Milon is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere (the latter vinification intégrale, so that it includes 50% of the stems, and Philippe Dhalluin said he was pleased with the results). It has a very pure bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, a touch of cedar and ash in the background. It takes time to really unfold in the glass. The palate is adorable: svelte tannin, beautifully pitched acidity, great depth with a silky smooth finish that just caresses the mouth. There is a little tightness here compared to the more expressive 2016 d’Armailhac, but I have no doubt that it will turn into a top-flight Clerc-Milon.
94-95 Points, James Suckling
Refined and ultra-fine with a linear and polished character. Full-bodied, yet tight and racy. A classy and sophisticated young wine.
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