Pastourelle de Clerc Milon 2015
Full-bodied red wine · Château Clerc Milon
Vintage: 2015
Type
Full-bodied red wine
Producer
Château Clerc Milon
Country
France
Vintage
2015
Region & Appellation
Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac AOC
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby-garnet core with a vibrant purple rim, moderate-plus viscosity and slow-moving legs, indicating a concentrated and structured young-to-mature Bordeaux red.
Aroma Profile
A complex bouquet featuring pronounced aromas of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum, intertwined with secondary notes of cedarwood, graphite, subtle tobacco leaf, and refined French oak toast.
Tasting Notes
An impressive second wine delivering an impactful initial impression of dark cassis and savory spice, leading into a structured mid-palate with layered fruit and earth, finishing with admirable length, fine tannins, and a fresh, uplifting acidity.
Flavor Profile
Dominant flavors of juicy black currant and black cherry, complemented by notes of cigar box, wet gravel, pencil shavings, espresso bean, and delicate herbal undertones that evolve gracefully toward the finish.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a rich, velvety texture and firm yet polished structural frame, showing wonderful concentration, polished extract, and a harmonious mouthfeel.
Acidity & Tannins
Fresh, well-integrated medium-high acidity that provides vitality, supported by ripe, fine-grained, and approachable tannins that offer both immediate pleasure and structural longevity.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry with zero residual sugar, characteristic of a classic top-tier Left Bank Bordeaux red.
Alcohol Content
13.5% ABV, typical for a balanced Pauillac vintage, offering warming depth without feeling heavy or hot.
Aging & Oak
Aged in French oak barrels (a portion new) for around 14 to 16 months, imparting subtle nuances of vanilla, toast, and spice that seamlessly meld with the pure fruit expression.
Food Pairings
Ideal pairings include prime ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops with rosemary, seared duck breast, or autumn-appropriate wild mushroom ragout. For cheeses, pair with aged Comté or Mimolette.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 1 to 2 hours is recommended to allow the complex aromas to fully unfurl.
Price Range
50 to 80 USD
Quality Assessment
Estimated score of 91-93 points, representing a super-premium second wine that delivers exceptional quality and echoes the character of its grand vin older sibling at a more accessible price point.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested, rigorous optical and manual sorting, traditional temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation, followed by barrel maturation and gentle fining before bottling.
Terroir
Gravel-rich soils over clay-limestone subsoil situated in the Pauillac appellation, benefiting from optimal drainage, warm daytime sun, and moderating maritime influences from the Gironde estuary.
History & Heritage
Château Clerc Milon has been owned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. since 1970. Under their stewardship, the estate has undergone extensive modernization and revitalization, establishing itself as a benchmark Fifth Growth in Pauillac.
Interesting Facts
The label features a pair of eighteenth-century dancers carved from ivory, which are part of the remarkable Museum of Wine in Art located at nearby Château Mouton Rothschild.
Cellaring Potential
Approaching its peak drinking window and will continue to evolve gracefully through 2030 and beyond when properly cellared.
Similar Wines
Les Fiefs de Lagrange, Les Forts de Latour, Duhart-Milon, and Petit Mouton.