Clerc Milon 2020 (750ML)

97 JS / 95 JA / 94 VM / 94 JD / 93 DE / 92 WI / 17+ JR

#81 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of France 2023

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Château Clerc Milon joining Baron Philippe de Rothschild's family, the 2020 Château Clerc Milon bottle is decorated with a special label, bearing 50 stars arranged in a circular arc with a movement that seems to harmoniously follow that of its emblematic dancers. 

Château Clerc Milon, 1855 Classified Growth in Pauillac, was acquired by Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1970. Its exceptional terroir is adjacent to two illustrious First Growths. Today, it is Baroness Philippine de Rothschild's children who carry on the tradition. The label shows an ornament which once belonged to Empress Catherine of Russia: two dancers made of gold and pearls, inspired by the Commedia dell'Arte.

Blackcurrants, black licorice, violets and lavender. Aromatic and perfumed. Full- to medium-bodied with tension and focus, and very fine, linear tannins that run the length of the wine. Starting to close now. Serious Clerc. Better after 2029. - James Suckling

Opulent damson and spiced chocolate, graphite, fresh acidities, crushed mint leaf and eucalputus, restrained but vibrant precision. This is well structured, extends outwards and upwards, showing chewy tannins with grip. Harvest September 9 to 29. New director Caroline Artaud arrived for the harvest in this year, and has overseen a hugely successful wine, 60% new oak. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

The label of the 2020 Clerc Milon contains a discrete celebration of its half-century ownership by Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The nose is quite strict at the moment, leaning more towards the red fruit side of the spectrum, touches of gravel and tobacco, gaining more black fruit as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy blackberry and bilberry fruit, gentle grip, maybe not quite as delineated as the 2020 d'Armailhac, yet with a subtle pencil lead note enhancing the finish. Very fine. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

The 2020 Château Clerc Milon brings another level of finesse and is a big step up over the Pastourelle. Kirsch, blackberries, graphite, lead pencil shavings, and a crushed stone-like sense of minerality give way to a full-bodied, nicely concentrated, tannic 2020 that's balanced and has terrific purity, followed by a great finish. A serious Pauillac, it warrants 7-8 years of bottle age and will have 20-25+ years of overall prime drinking. - Jeb Dunnuck

Perfumed, raspberry and strawberry fruit, red and floral, pretty on the nose, roses and sweet strawberries. Lithe and supple, this has a nice bounce to it, plump, super-juicy and fun, gorgeous sweetness and plushness to it, round and friendly. Lovely push of red fruits with a hint of herbal medicinal edges at the back and some very soft spicing. You can't help but smile when you drink this. Approachable, very complete and full. A great glass of wine here. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Made from 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36.5% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Carmenere, the 2020 Clerc Milon is deep garnet-purple in color. Quite shut down on the nose, it offers glimpses at notes of black and red cherries, blackcurrant jelly, and forest floor, with suggestions of charcoal and bay leaves. The medium-bodied palate is soft and refreshing, with delicate red and black fruit layers and a lifted finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

Dense and profound with layers of fruit and tannin. Subdued nose with a floral note. Tannins powdery but very finely layered. Exudes power but is harmonious at the same time. - Jancis Robinson