Chateau Clerc Milon Rothschild 2021

JAMES SUCKLING: "This wine has notes of redcurrants as well as lead pencil, stone and salt. Medium-bodied, with white flowers, racy and firm tannins and balanced acidity. Linear and vivid. A blend of 59% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 10% cabernet franc, 1.5% petit verdot and 1.5% carmenere. Better in two to four years. Drink after 2027."

WEINWISSER: "Er zeigt eine offensive, dunkle Fruchtkomponente im Geruch, reif und füllig, mit Kirschsaft und etwas Kirschlikör im Obertonbereich. Satt und geschmeidig auf der Zunge verfügt er mit cremiger Textur über deutlich mehr Volumen als der d‘Armailhac. Sehr konzentriert, mit feinen, würzigen Gerbstoffen und viel Saft in der Mitte. Körperreich und mit viel Fleisch ausgestattet, zeigt er große Energie, ausgezeichnete Fülle und Länge. 13.0 Vol.-%."

DECANTER: "Ripe, dark and fragrant fruit on the nose - dark plums, cherries, damsons and blackberries with a dusting of black chocolate - coolness but also touches of floral sweetness. Smells softly floral and softly herbal with the fruit at the fore. Smooth and round, nice fullness to the texture - very slightly chewy and plush tannins, this has a bit of flesh to it which I like - textured and filling in the mouth. Ripe strawberries, chewy blackcurrants, it’s cool but textured, grippy, salty and stony. Really a great expression with nuance and layers of different elements. Holds the interest. A touch narrow a bitter still on the finish, though excellent high acidity gives life and vibrancy and nicely counters the plush fruit. Quite a complete wine, not with sunny exuberance but finessed and still flavourful."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Clerc Milon has turned out very well indeed, offering up aromas of dark berries and minty cassis mingled with hints of violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it's impressively deep and layered, with an ample core of fruit, lively acids and sweet, chalky tannins."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte blumige Nuancen, etwas Hibiskus und Himbeere, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten, mit einem Hauch von Cassis und Tabak unterlegt. Saftig, elegant, reife Kirschen, zart nach Zwetschken, feine Tannine, angenehme Extraktsüße, mineralisch-salzig im Abgang, bleibt haften, ein delikater Speisenbegleiter mit guter Länge, hat sich in einem Jahr sehr gut entwickelt."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Wet earth, cigar box, flowers, spice, espresso and red with black currants define the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is refined, elegant, fresh, and energetic with a soft-textured, finish that blends its red fruits, minty-freshness and olive characteristics. The wine blends 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Carmenere. Drink from 2026-2045."

JEB DUNNUCK: "I loved the 2021 Château Clerc Milon, a gem of a 2021 that brings impressive richness and depth. Black cherries, graphite, smoked herbs, and lead pencil notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a layered mouthfeel and beautiful tannins. It shows the fresher style of the vintage yet nevertheless brings impressive levels of concentration and depth. Give it a few years and enjoy over the following 15+. The blend is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot and Carmenère."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot, and 1.5% Carmenere, the 2021 Clerc Milon is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a swirl or two to release notes of black plums, blackberries, and charcoal, plus hints of wild thyme, aniseed, and tree bark. The light to medium-bodied palate has loads of minerally sparks complementing the fresh black berry flavors, framed by refreshing acidity and grainy tannins, and finishing earthy."