This is a racy young wine with currants and blueberries on the nose and palate. Full and very silky with fine tannins and a balanced finish. A little muscular and lean. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenere.

Displays a strong tobacco leaf edge from the start, along with smoke and singed balsam wood notes, all weaving around a core of dark plum and black cherry fruit. A touch firm in the end right now, but shows very good range.¯J.M.

Administrator Philippe Dalhuin told me this property (100 acres) has 240 separate parcels, which must make the strategy of harvesting a nightmare. Composed of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Petit Verdot, the 2011 Clerc Milon is more tannic, tightly knit and structured than its sister chateau, d’Armailhac. With more acidity showing, it performed as if it had just come off malolactic fermentation. Possessing a dense color along with copious notes of new saddle leather, black currants, mocha and wood spice, it will require several years of bottle age, and should keep well for 15+ years.

[54CS/37M/7CF/1PV/1CA] Slightly wood dominated aromas on the nose at moment; rich fresh in acidity, fine in tannin, with the more ‘fluid’ core and mid palate than the d’Armailhac from the high proportion of Merlot; ripe, fresh and flowing, with a modest complexity and a firmish feel to the Cabernet tannins, which feel as though they will indeed firm up, and a light, medium length finish. 2020-30+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2012]

The 2011 Clerc-Milon, a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenere and 1% Petit Verdot, has a lifted sorbet bouquet that usually seems more extravagant and precocious than d’Armailhac. The palate shows slightly higher acidity than the d’Armailhac (pH 3.65 compared to 3.75 for the d’Armailhac.). It is slightly pinched at the moment, very linear and strict with a little hardness on the finish that should soften with time. This will be more representative after bottling. Tasted April 2012.

Drink 2016-2026 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenère. Sweet, creamy, oaky, spicy nose, hint of coffee. Fresh and spicy on the palate too and a little cedary. Not the same freshness as the Armailhac, though it is fresh, but very silky tannins, seems you could almost drink it now. (JH)