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The excellence of the Rothschild family in Pauillac - Fifth Grand Cru Classé
Located at the heart of the Pauillac appellation, in the Bordeaux wine region, Château Clerc Milon embodies the excellence and expertise of the Grands Crus Classés of the Médoc. A historic estate linked to the Rothschild family, the domaine benefits from a unique terroir that, year after year, produces powerful, elegant wines of great aromatic complexity. Recognized for its commitment to preserving viticultural traditions and its dedication to innovation, Château Clerc Milon stands out for its ability to marry authenticity with modernity.
The history of Château Clerc Milon begins at the end of the 18th century, when the estate was acquired by the Clerc family, who developed it progressively after the French Revolution. Located in the village of Milon, not far from Pauillac, the estate takes its name from its owner Jean-Baptiste Clerc and the lieu-dit Milon. As early as 1855, Château Clerc Milon was recognized for the quality of its wines, earning the prestigious title of Fifth Classified Growth in the famous classification of the wines of the Médoc and Sauternes.
After several decades of ownership changes and decline, the estate experienced a true renaissance in 1970, when it was acquired by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, an iconic figure in the wine world. Convinced by the exceptional potential of this terroir, the Baron embarked on an extensive campaign of modernization and restructuring of the vineyard. His goal: to restore Château Clerc Milon to its former prestige and make it an essential name among the Grands Crus Classés of Bordeaux.
Following the Baron's passing in 1988, his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, took over the reins of the estate. Under her leadership, the vineyard continued to develop, most notably with the inauguration of a new vat room in 2007 and a barrel cellar in 2011. Since 2014, the Baroness's children, Camille and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, have been carrying on the family legacy, leading Château Clerc Milon with the same passion and determination.
Château Clerc Milon won over Robert Parker with its 2019 vintage, awarded 95/100, highlighting its finesse and balance.
The vineyard of Château Clerc Milon extends over 41 hectares on the left bank, forming a cohesive whole, located predominantly on the Mousset ridge, in the immediate vicinity of the prestigious first classified growths Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Mouton-Rothschild. This exceptional terroir rests on a soil of sandy gravels mixed with clay and limestone, offering ideal conditions for the cultivation of Bordeaux grape varieties.
The geological particularities of this terroir, combined with a south/south-east exposure, allow the vines to benefit from excellent sunshine while being protected from extreme temperatures by the proximity of the Gironde estuary. This temperate microclimate encourages the slow and regular ripening of the grapes, yielding balanced, powerful, and complex wines.
The vineyard is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (2%), and Carmenère (1%). This last variety, planted as early as 1947, makes Château Clerc Milon one of the rare estates in Bordeaux to possess such an old plot of this grape variety. The vines have an average age of 53 years, conferring upon the wine a unique aromatic depth and exceptional concentration.
Respect for the terroir and the pursuit of maximum quality are at the heart of the winemaking processes at Château Clerc Milon. After meticulous hand harvesting, the grapes are carefully sorted to retain only the finest fruit. The estate has equipped itself with modern facilities, notably an ultra-modern vat room fitted with 40 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, enabling plot-by-plot and extremely precise vinification. This approach ensures that each batch of grapes is vinified according to its optimal potential.
The wine of Château Clerc Milon is then aged for 14 to 18 months in French oak barrels, of which approximately 30% are new, ensuring harmonious maturation and a delicate contribution of oaky notes that enhance the aromatic profile of the wine without ever overpowering it. The estate employs a gravity-flow approach, limiting the use of pumps in order to preserve the quality of the grapes throughout the winemaking process. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat, giving the wine a rounder and silkier texture.
Château Clerc Milon - Fine Wine
The fine wine of Château Clerc Milon is the ultimate expression of the Pauillac terroir. This unique blend of five grape varieties reveals all the richness and complexity of the soils and climate that characterize this vineyard. Cabernet Sauvignon lends structure and elegance to the wine, Merlot brings roundness and generosity, while Cabernet Franc adds a subtle aromatic freshness. Petit Verdot, though present in small proportion, offers spicy notes that enhance the aromatic bouquet, and Carmenère, a rare variety, gives delicate floral aromas of faded rose and violet.
Across vintages, Château Clerc Milon produces powerful, tannic, and full-bodied wines with a remarkable ageing potential. Their palate is fleshy, with silky tannins and a beautiful aromatic intensity. Lovers of great Pauillac wines will not fail to appreciate the long, suave finish that concludes each tasting.
Pastourelle de Clerc Milon - Second Wine
Created from the 2009 vintage and released from 2015, Pastourelle de Clerc Milon is the estate's second wine. Drawn from the same terroirs as the fine wine, it benefits from a more generous blend of Merlot, offering a more accessible and indulgent profile. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc complete this blend, bringing structure and freshness to this wine with its supple tannins and vibrant fruit.
Raised with the same care as its elder, Pastourelle de Clerc Milon offers a wonderful introduction to the world of Château Clerc Milon. It captivates with its suppleness and fruitiness, while retaining the elegance and character typical of Pauillac wines. This wine is ideal for earlier drinking while also offering a fine ageing potential.
Pauillac, one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc, is among the great wines of Bordeaux, with remarkable vintages that have made history. Among the finest vintages, one finds those of 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. The years 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005 also stand out for their richness and power. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed the exceptional potential of Pauillac, offering wines that are both elegant and powerful, perfect for long ageing.
The Fifth Grands Crus Classés offer a fine diversity of estates in the Médoc, reflecting the winemaking expertise of Bordeaux. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out for their own distinctive characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory from Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.
With its exceptional terroir, innovative winemaking techniques, and expertise passed down from generation to generation, Château Clerc Milon stands as one of the jewels of the Pauillac appellation. Whether with its fine wine, powerful and complex, or with Pastourelle de Clerc Milon, more accessible yet equally elegant, each bottle tells the story of an iconic estate that continues to reinvent itself while remaining true to its roots.
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