Magnum Château Clerc Milon - Pauillac 2005

Wine Advocate

93 /

byNeal Martinthe1/31/2017

I have noticed that both myself and Robert Parker have consistently given the 2005 Château Clerc-Milon a very respectable 93 points. At ten years of age (has time flow that quickly?), I find no reason to change my opinion of a truly great wine for the estate. The nose is straight-down-the-line classic Clerc-Milon with intense graphite and cigar box aromas infusing the black fruit that could only come from Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with powerful black and red fruit, hints of tobacco suffusing the multi-layered black fruit that gently grip the mouth. It has opened slightly since I last tasted this wine, though I would still afford it another 3 to 4 years in bottle. This is a great Clerc-Milon, probably the best ever made. Tasted August 2016.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

Fine and impressive even in this vintage, Clerc Milon’s 2005 has a dense purple color and a beautifully sweet, creamy blackcurrant nose of cedar wood and flowers. Spicy, earthy, rich, and medium to full-bodied, it will probably be at its best between 2020 and 2035.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Light to mid crimson. Lively, sprightly. Without the density of most 2005s but well balanced in a relatively low-key way. The tannins are – almost – hidden. 

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5 / 20

the10/20/2014

Avec un nez de fruits écrasés et une bouche imposante, ce vin est flatteur. Il peut être bu dès aujourd'hui mais continuera à évoluer.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/12/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. The Clerc-Milon ’05 appears to have progressed leaps and bounds since barrel. There seems to have been a lot of skin-maceration on the nose: baked black cherries and damson jam. It would benefit from more definition but its opulence is irresistible. The palate is ripe, good grip, furry, blackberry and graphite coming through, masculine and assertive towards the tannic finish. Good grip and depth here, persistent finish but brutish at the moment. Drink 2015-2030+ Tasted January 2009.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Full ruby-red. Superripe, almost syrupy aromas of cassis, licorice, graphite and coffee. Full, seamless and sweet, with a ripeness verging on exotic; but this is fat with fruit. An outsized Clerc-Milon with a relatively high 13.2% alcohol but also very good energy in the mouth. Finishes with terrific breadth and substantial ripe tannins. "This was very restrained in the barrel but is really opening up in bottle," noted Dhalluin. A superb showing today.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

Clerc-Milon’s 2005 has moved ahead of its stablemate, d’Armailhac. A blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon (48%) and Merlot (40%), and the rest Cabernet Franc, it exhibits plenty of charcoal, roasted coffee, smoke, blackberry, and cassis notes along with a meaty-like character to its flavors and texture. Full-bodied with surprisingly high tannin as well as gorgeous depth and a multidimensional mouthfeel, this stunning Pauillac should be at its finest between 2014-2030.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/5/2008

Offers fabulous aromas of currant, tar, lead pencil and mineral. Full-bodied, with supersoft tannins that caress the palate. Beautiful and impressive. A fabulous wine. The best Clerc in a very long time. Best after 2014.

Jancis Robinson

17.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Very rich sumptuou look with already a little maturity at the rim. Meaty nose - much meatier than Armailhac for example. Very rich and succulent on the palate entry. A real crowd pleaser. Lots of polish and impact on the palate without excessive sweetness. Good balance. Confirms its position as when tasted en primeur.

La Revue du Vin de France

17 / 20

the8/29/2007

Exubérant, riche et savoureux en bouche, avec beaucoup de volume et du gras, il impose ses notes intenses de cassis et son style opulent.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/3/2007

Administrator Philippe Dalhuin has turned out an atypically structured, tannic, less approachable Clerc-Milon that has put on weight since last year and now rivals its stablemate, d’Armailhac. Powerful notes of forest floor, black currants, cherries, graphite, and pain grille emerge from this fresh yet exceptionally powerful, intense effort. It also possesses surprisingly high alcohol for this vintage (13.5%). The final blend was 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025+.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2006

(a blend of 48% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 1% each petit verdot and carmenere) Ruby-red. Aromas of raspberry, redcurrant, chocolate, leather and sexy oak spices. Rich, supple and quite suave, with black raspberry and chocolate flavors lifted by an enticing floral character. Atypically silky, round and stylish for this wine. Finishes with broad, lush tannins. Drink after 2010.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

Medium to full-bodied, tannic, fresh, vibrant, and, as the French would say, croquant (crunchy), the 2005 deep ruby/purple-tinged Clerc-Milon reveals good acidity, a fresh, lively mouthfeel, surprisingly high alcohol (13.5%) that is at odds with the brightness/freshness found in the wine’s power and richness. The final blend was 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and a smidgen of Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/28/2006

Loads of violets, berries and currants with hints of mineral, light vanilla. Full-bodied, with very silky tannins and a long, long finish. Is it better than 2003? Wait and see. —J.S.