Wine Advocate 92 / 100 byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015 This is another strong effort from the Mouton Rothschild stable and its excellent administrator Philippe Dhalluin. The 2012 Clerc Milon has an almost blackish-blue opaque color, soft tannins, ripe notes of blackcurrants, licorice and subtle background oak. There is an attractive floral, licorice quality to the fruit. The wine is medium to full-bodied and beautifully pure with ripe tannin. It is soft enough to be approachable in several years and should drink well for 20.
Jamessuckling.com 93 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015 Blueberry, chocolate and stone aromas with undertones of flowers follow through to a full body, cream tannins and a clean finish. Concentrated for the vintage. Pure fruit. Needs three to four years to soften. Better in 2017.
Wine Spectator 90 / 100 byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015 Tightly wound, but with an ample core of blackberry and black currant fruit waiting in reserve, accented by lively briar and singed spice notes. Reveals good, graphite-edged grip through the finish, with a hint of cassis bush at the very end. Should unwind nicely in the cellar. Best from 2017 through 2022. –JM
Jancis Robinson 16,5 / 20 the12/11/2014 Dark-fruited, and spicy on the nose and palate. Cool, fine tannins. Elegant. Mouthwatering with a long finish. (JH)13.5% Drink 2022-2035
Jancis Robinson 16,5 / 20 the10/23/2014 Dark-fruited, and spicy on the nose and palate. Cool, fine tannins. Elegant. Mouthwatering with a long finish. (JH) 2022-2035
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 88-90 / 100 byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013 (60% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 9% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot and 1% carmenère): Bright ruby-red. Red berries and sweet spices on the perfumed, open nose, complicated by cocoa and coffee nuances. Bright and fresh on the palate, with a spicy mineral overlay to the red and dark berry flavors. Finishes sweet, supple and long, with smooth tannins. This potentially outstanding Clerc Milon comes across as fleshy and rich; I would have guessed it contained a lot more merlot than 29%. Very good stuff in the context of the vintage.
Le Point 15,5-16 / 100 byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013 Fruist noirs, fraise cuite, prise de bois, bouche onctueuse, tendue, mentholée, bonne longueur, sérieux, bon fruit en finale, tendu, très fruits noirs, note de violette. O = 2017 G= 14 ans.
Wine Advocate 91-93 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/2/2013 The Clerc-Milon 2012 was tasted on two visits to the property, several days apart. It is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest percentage for 15 years and picked ten days later than the usual date), 29% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenere and 9% Cabernet Franc picked between 1st and 16th October. It is matured in 40-45% new oak. Immediately, the aromatics are much more convincing than the d’Armailhac with ebullient ripe blackberry, raspberry and tobacco aromas that are well defined and vigorous. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins and well integrated new oak that is in synch with the fruit. This is a superb Clerc-Milon for the vintage with a silky smooth, harmonious finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2013.
Wine Spectator 91-94 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013 Juicy and round in feel, with a core of fleshy plum and blackberry fruit. A light briary edge frames the core, revealing enticing savory and chalk notes on the finish. Shows a touch more range and floral lift in the end than the d'Armailhac. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.
My Bettane + Desseauve 17,5 / 20 the4/27/2013 Grande richesse onctueuse, une rare intensité de constitution pour l’année et un tannin très noble, très havane, de grande classe.
Wine Advocate 87-89 / 100 byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013 This attractive, medium-bodied Pauillac reveals tough tannins as well as hints of herbs and underbrush. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and the rest Carmenere and Petit Verdot, it was angular when I tasted it in March, and, like many Medocs, it seems to err on the side of austerity and the lack of mid-palate charm. Its upbringing in barrel will help somewhat, but just how much remains to be seen.
The Wine Cellar Insider 90-92 / 100 byJeff Levethe4/26/2013 This vintage represents the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon used in the blend over the past several decades at 60% . The rest of the blend includes 29% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere. The wine reached 13.6% alcohol. Graphite, jammy black cherries, licorice and coffee bean scents open to a soft, fresh black raspberry-filled wine that should drink well with just a few years of bottle age. 90-92 Pts
Jean-Marc QUARIN 16 / 20 byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/25/2013 Couleur intense et belle. Nez fruité de type mûr. Raffiné dès l’entrée en bouche. Mur et épicé. Ce vin très fruité et caressant se développe parfumé sur une bonne corpulence, du goût, du fruit et des tanins fins. Belle longueur charmeuse. Assemblage : 60 % cabernet sauvignon, 29 % merlot, 9 % cabernet franc et 1 % de carmeneyre. Rendement : 33 hectolitres à l’hectare à cause de la sècheresse.
Jancis Robinson 16,5 / 20 byJancis Robinsonthe4/24/2013 Drink 2020-2032Dark purple. Sappy and urgent on the nose. Leafy without being underripe. Quite plump but certainly not fat. Lacks the extra dimension of a 2009, and without the superripe tannins of 2010. A good fist of it.
Decanter.com 17,5 / 20 bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013 Vibrant depth of colour, very good purity and presion of fruit 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)Drink: 2017 - 2028
Jamessuckling.com 92-93 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013 This has a savory and juicy character to it that many wines in the Medoc lacked in 2012. Full body, with creamy tannins and a rich finish. Pretty finish too. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 9% Franc,1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenere.