Château Clerc Milon 2018
Full-bodied red wine · Château Clerc Milon
Vintage: 2018
Type
Full-bodied red wine
Producer
Château Clerc Milon
Country
France
Vintage
2018
Region & Appellation
Bordeaux, Pauillac AOC
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque ruby-purple with a bright crimson rim, indicating high concentration, youthfulness, and substantial extract.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, and blackberry, complemented by cedarwood, graphite, cigar box, and subtle vanilla and violet notes.
Tasting Notes
A powerful and harmonious attack leading to a structured, velvety mid-palate filled with dark fruit and spice. The finish is remarkably long, lingering with notes of mint, cocoa, and fine-grained tannins.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by ripe cassis, dark plum, and black raspberry, layered with savory notes of fresh herbs, graphite, lead pencil, and well-integrated toasty French oak.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a rich, velvety mouthfeel, supported by a dense core of fruit extract and a polished, opulent texture.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-high acidity provides refreshing lift against the ripe fruit, balanced by powerful, fine-grained, and ripe tannins that give structure without harshness.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry with zero residual sugar.
Alcohol Content
14.5% ABV
Aging & Oak
Aged for approximately 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak, imparting complex notes of toast, vanilla, and spice.
Food Pairings
Ideal for autumn dining in Taiwan, pairing wonderfully with pan-seared ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, or braised beef short ribs with local mushrooms.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C in a large Bordeaux glass. Decant for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Best enjoyed over the next two decades.
Price Range
100 to 150 USD
Quality Assessment
Rated around 93-95 points by major critics, representing a stellar Fifth Growth Pauillac that punches well above its classification tier.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested, parcel-by-parcel vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, followed by traditional aging and egg-white fining.
Terroir
Graven soils over a clay-limestone subsoil situated near the Gironde estuary, benefiting from excellent drainage and thermal moderation.
History & Heritage
Acquired by Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1970, the estate has undergone massive modernization and now shares winemaking expertise with Mouton Rothschild.
Interesting Facts
The whimsical label features a pair of 17th-century miniature dancers made of gold, enamel, and pearls from the Museum of Wine in Mouton Rothschild.
Cellaring Potential
Drinking well with robust decanting now, but will reach its absolute peak between 2028 and 2045.
Similar Wines
Château d'Armailhac, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Pontet-Canet