Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Back @BalancesRestaurant - Lucerne. Yes, it is that good.

A little backstory on this 2nd wine of Clerc Milon. This was made by my friend Jean Danjoy. He was the Asst. Winemaker at Opus One for 10 years before making the decision to go back to Bordeaux to redesign the winemaking facilities at Clerc and making his first vintage, 2009. A grand Bordeaux vintage to make his first Clerc Milon. He now overseas all the Rothschild properties, including Mouton. He is uber talented and perhaps the nicest human being I have met. He is also the one that showed Sofia & I how to taste & judge vineyard fruit for harvest in 2012.

Jean decided to make this second wine primarily for restaurant lists.

The nose shows brilliant red & dark florals. Dark cherries, poached strawberries, blackberries, black currant core, black raspberries, pomegranate, oak barrel powder, some anise, black tea, gentle baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel notes & dark chocolate, dark, rich, subtle earth, dark withering flowers.

You could make a case for rounding this up to 93.

The fruits are ripe…special. Even glorious. Very soft and rounded M-M+ tannins. Dark cherries, poached strawberries, blackberries, black currant core, black raspberries, pomegranate, oak barrel powder, some anise, black tea, cola, beautiful, round dark spice that long sets w/ the most gentle palate heat, gentle baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel notes & dark chocolate, dark, rich, subtle earth, some fresh & dry tobacco, soft leather, very soft graphite, dark withering flowers. Excellent rainfall acidity with a well balanced, softly structured, elegant finish that last 80 seconds and lands on gentle dark spice, loamy earth and fruit.

Great pair with the Venison. — 16 days ago

Elena Todorov

9.5

1986 vintage holds great — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Pale lemon in colour. Quite aromatic with some grassy notes with a hint of pineapple. A lean focussed palate with some astringency at the finish. — 10 years ago

Helen Anderson

9.4

Tasted this at vineyard, Le Domaine de Arques of the family Baronne Philippine de Rothschilde last March 2015. Varietal mix, 50%Merlot, 10% .Cabernet Franc, 10% .
Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% .Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Malbec . Tasting notes-a lovely, deep, ruby red, pleasant nose w/ aromatic complexity, scents of Rose and peony mixed with blackberry and raspberry. Well balanced with roasted coffee and cocoa and spice notes.
Look for future availability.
— 10 years ago

Patrick Tylka

9.6

2000 excellent finish. Worth the wait😄 — 7 years ago

Laura Catena

9.9

Glorious wine - last time I drank it was at the Fete de la Fleur introduced by The charismatic Philippine - a perfect wine smooth delicate unforgettable — 10 years ago