Château Clerc Milon - Pauillac 2009

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/1/2013

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. A stellar performance from the Clerc-Milon ...this could this be the greatest vintage since the brilliant 1990 (which, lest we forget, put Mouton '90 in the shade.) The 2009 has a very intense nose of blackberry, graphite, orange sorbet and mineral that is beautifully defined, gaining in vigour as it aerates. The palate is full-bodied with ripe, robust tannins that underpin the multi-layered black, spicy fruit. This is more demonstrative than its peers and perhaps a touch more alcoholic towards the finish. Tasted January 2013.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe7/31/2012

Bright red-ruby. Brooding aromas and flavors of cassis, licorice, minerals and earthy dark tobacco. Juicy, spicy and tightly wound; dense and powerful but with the elegance of the year. Seriously concentrated wine with enticing sweetness currently overshadowed by a serious spine of dusty tannins. This deep, long Pauillac calls for at least six to eight years of cellaring. 91(+?) points

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/29/2012

This fat, fleshy, dense purple-colored 2009 exhibits abundant notes of creme de cassis, roasted espresso, chocolate, berry fruit and underling hints of high quality, unsmoked cigar tobacco. Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and a touch of Carmenere, it reveals plenty of structure and tannin, but the evolved aromatics offer a deceptive view that the wine will be drinkable early on. I do not think this is the case as the tannins kick in once it hits the palate. This seriously endowed, powerful, boisterous, muscular Pauillac should hit its prime between 2017 and 2035.

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2012

What an amazing nose of lead pencil shavings and dark fruits. Stunning. Full bodied, with super silky tannins and an amazing depth of fruit. Polished and refined. Gorgeous. 50% Cabernet Sauivgnon, 44% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmaere. Best after 2017.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe1/11/2012

Juicy and nicely framed with a singed bay leaf note, which allows the medium-weight core of crushed plum and mulled fig to glide along nicely through the velvety finish. This fleshes out considerably as it sits in the glass, showing more layers of dark fruit and lingering minerality. This has some power in reserve, but lovely balance as well. Best from 2013 through 2024. -J.M.

Le Figaro

92-94 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe6/30/2010

Robe sombre. Nez de fruits noirs. En bouche, l’attaque est assez dense avec une jolie matière pleine et moelleuse, le tout est agrémenté de jolies notes de cuir et une belle longueur.

timatkin.com

92 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2010

13.5% alcohol. 50CS, 44M, 4CF, 1PV, 1Carm If you don’t like the smell and flavour of oak, you’d be better off buying wine from elsewhere, because this is a showy, flashy wine with lots of intense fruit to soak it up. Once again, there’s not a lot of finesse here, but the tannins are well done. 10+ years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-93 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2010

(a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, 1% carmenere and 1% petit verdot; ph 3.65; 13.5% alcohol; IPT 65) Ruby red. An enticing floral element adds lift to aromas of red berry cocktail, cinnamon and bay leaf. Enters juicy and fresh, with flavors similar to the aromas, offering good concentration and length but also a youthful austerity. The energetic finish features chewy tannins, considerable energy, and notes of menthol and coffee that speak of the carmenere, a variety that can make its presence even in minute doses. Barons Domaines de Rothschild's general manager and technical director Philippe Dhalluin told me that the '09 Clerc Milon is very Pauillac in style. "I know that's a funny thing to say considering that it includes 44% merlot, but it has a rigid and massive quality that is very typical of Pauillac," said Dhalluin. "My main goal with Clerc Milon is to try to civilize it more and more with each new vintage." One factor that will go a long way toward improving the already high quality of this wine is that, starting with the 2009 vintage, Clerc Milon now has its own director in charge of operations, Jean-Emanuel Darjoy, who works closely with Dhalluin on a day-to-day basis.

La Revue du Vin de France

17-18 / 20

the5/31/2010

Au vu de leur qualité, le château a augmenté la proportion de cabernet sauvignon dans l'assemblage : ils atteignent 50% pour 44% de merlot. Le vin est très énergique et conserve un grand raffinement de texture malgré l'ampleur de sa bouche et la rondeur des merlots. Il dépasse Armailhac en potentiel.

Le Point

16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/6/2010

Nez pomme mûre, épices douces, fruits noirs, encre, bouche ronde, souple, tannique, bien fondue, une petite touche pomerolaise chocolatée en finale. O=2015 G=25 ans

Falstaff

90-92 / 100

byPeter Moserthe4/30/2010

Rotbeerige, zarte Edelholznote, noch etwas verschlossen, Orangenzesten. Mittlere Textur, präsente Tannine, dunkle Beeren, mineralisch, etwas Bitterschoko im Abgang, braucht noch viel Zeit.

TAST

18 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2010

Un échantillon fatigué, un autre au château parfait : grande sève, grande enveloppe, moelleux d’anthologie, tanin et saveur en équilibre parfait, expression juste d’un millésime exceptionnel.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2010

Tasted at Château Mouton-Rothschild. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere (the first time since 2005.) 12.5% alcohol, a little higher than usual. This has a very lifted nose, very lively, this is a bouquet that wants to party, although it just lacks the refinement that I find in the d’Armailhac. Very minerally, real scents of crushed stones in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth tannins, very good fruit intensity with black cherries, boysenberry, black plum and that minerality stretching long at the finish. Superb persistency. The wine is calming down in the glass. Very tight at the moment, it will hopefully blossom after its élevage. Tasted March 2010.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/30/2010

Firm tannins, a wine packed with rich fruits, along with bright acidity. It is fresh, but solid, bringing out intense freshness and acidity, finishing with new wood.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2010

50 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 44 % Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenère. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Rahmiges Bouquet, Heidelbeeren, Black Currant, schön füllig, mit einem Hauch Lakritze und dunklem Karamell im Hintergrund. Geniales Niveau! Noch selten war ein Clerc Milon so cremig und so fett wie dieser opulente 2009er. Die Körperform erinnert an die ersten Proben vieler grosser 82er Pauillacs. Ein «Immerschön-» und «Langeschön-»Wein, gleichzeitig der beste Clerc Milon der Geschichte. 2016–2038

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/28/2010

Despite the fact there is 44% Merlot in this wine (blended with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere), this is a tannic, structured, backward Clerc Milon, which is atypical for this estate. Perhaps I just caught it at a time when the structure was dominating. It is a deep ruby/purple-hued, concentrated, impressively endowed effort that requires serious cellar age, 4-5 years minimum. It should last for 20-25 years. (Tasted two times.) Drink 2014-2039. (90-92+) points

Periodic Review of Wine

91-93 / 100

byAlan Duranthe4/28/2010

Could this be the most complex, well-endowed Clerc Milon? It should be bought by the case! The color reveals a saturated ruby/purple followed by sweet smoke scents intermixed with blackberries, cassis, and damp crushed-stones. This fruit lingers with a savory, even juicy impression, a full-body, density, and irresistible gobs of blackberry and blueberry fruit. Maturity period 2013-2025.

Anthony Rose

92-94 / 100

byAnthony Rosethe4/26/2010

A blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% each petit verdot and carmenère, this shows vivid colour, a fresh, aromatic, lovely clean, pure dark fruits quality, delicious sweetness and juiciness of cassis and black cherry flavour and texture, nice firm tannins, a twist of astringency, but not overwrought, rather elegant, with deceptive level of concentration, very nicely balanced overall, with lovely freshness and balance.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/9/2010

Delivers blackberry galore, with fabulous floral and currant undertones. Complex on the nose. Full-bodied, offering chewy tannins and lots of black licorice and currant character. Chewy, but reserved at the same time. A top Clerc. 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 44 percent Merlot, 4 percent Cabernet Franc, 1 percent Petit Verdot and 1 percent Carmenère.

Decanter Magazine

17.5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/9/2010

Purple red, fine briary blackcurrant fruit, lots of earthy energy and an herbaceous lift to the naturally sweet density of fruit. Drink 2015-30.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/7/2010

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenère. Picked 23 Sep – 6 Oct. Deep moody colour. Pretty sumptuous and polished – super-ripe and flattering. Very sweet and rich although, like the other wines from this stable, some slightly rugged tannins. No obvious alcohol but fairly ripe and plush, plus notable acidity. Fine boned with attractive sweetness but no knock-out ingredient X. Rather drying finish, imprecise. Certainly a defiantly more traditional style than some of its peers – odd, or perhaps predictable? – in view of the fact that it used to be criticised for being too New World! Drink 2018-2030