2019 Clerc Milon

https://www.bpdr.com/primeurs/en/ 72 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot Tasting note The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. Elegant and refined, the nose exudes floral aromas, going on with airing to develop notes of blackcurrant and liquorice root. The full and smooth attack reveals an alluring and complex array of flavours in which ripe fruit is magnificently set off by notes of toasted cereals and violet. The mid-palate is underpinned by high-quality, close-knit and creamy tannins, leading into a saline and slightly minty finish which lingers on hints of chocolate. Château Clerc Milon now has 41 hectares (101 acres) of vines in the north-east of the Pauillac appellation, on the lovely Mousset crest overlooking the Gironde. The slight slope favours both natural drainage and exposure to sunlight, while the nearby river creates a microclimate that protects the vines from frost in spring, reduces the risk of hail and brings coolness in summer. The soil is made up of two-thirds deep sandy gravel over a claylimestone base which outcrops in the eastern part of the estate. The vineyard is planted with five varieties typical of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Carmenere (1%). The average age of the vines is 53 years, probably one of the highest in the Medoc. Mostly planted before the development of clonal selection, they represent an exceptionally rich genetic resource. The vine density is high, ranging between 8,500 and 10,000 vines per hectare depending on the parcel. Environment-friendly integrated vinegrowing techniques are employed, keeping the use of pesticides to a minimum. In the vineyard itself, the close monitoring and strict parcel selection are on a par with those practised at Mouton Rothschild. A wine with considerable ageing potential, a particularly successful association of gravel and clay-limestone terroirs, of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, powerful, tannic, fruity and harmoniously full-bodied, Château Clerc Milon displays all the typical elegance of the finest Pauillac wines.