2013 Château Clerc Milon in its 1500ml Magnum format showcases the precision winemaking of the Mouton Rothschild team in a demanding, rain-heavy vintage. Because 2013 yielded thinner profiles across Bordeaux, the extra volume of the magnum format has been vital in slowing down tertiary development, allowing the wine to retain freshness while filling out its leaner, more savory Pauillac core.
Wine SpecificationsProducer: Château Clerc Milon (5th Growth, Pauillac, Bordeaux)
Grape Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carménère
Alcohol (ABV): 13%
Drinking Window: Now to 2033 (Magnums are fully open and at their absolute peak right now)
Tasting Profile
On the Nose:
Expresses radiant, slightly jammy raspberry and wild mulberry fruit.
Layers with classic Pauillac signatures of cedarwood, unlit cigar tobacco, lead pencil shavings, and elegant toasted oak.
On the Palate:
Medium-bodied with a linear, focused, and upright structure.
Displays complex notes of dark cherries, smoky earth, dried black tea leaves, and wild herbs.
The vintage's typically grainy, sappy tannins have nicely rounded out in the magnum format, providing a savory grip without coming across as overly dry.
The Finish:
Fresh and moderately long, tapering off with tart red fruits, nutmeg, and a distinctly mineral/chalky line.
Key Critic Ratings
Wine Enthusiast: 93 points
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 89 points (Praised it as a highly successful, fleshier, and more complete effort than many of its immediate neighbors)
Antonio Galloni (Vinous): 88-90 points
