CHÂTEAU CLERC MILON

The 2014 Clerc Milon is another juicy, fruit-driven wine from the Mouton Rothschild team. A veritable explosion of aromas and flavors makes a strong first impression. Lavender, spice, violet, mint and a array of blue and black stone fruits build into the racy, exotic finish. In 2014, the Cabernet Sauvignon is up and the Merlot is down in the blend. Drinking range: 2020 - 2039 Rating: 93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2017)

The Château Clerc-Milon 2014 contains less Merlot than usual as the old vines produced just 15 hectoliters per hectare. The blend consists of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère. Like the d’Armailhac '14, there is a sense of opulence on the nose, ripe blackberry intermingling with black olives. The palate is rich and quite tangy on the entry. This is a “full-on” Clerc-Milon, quite extravagant in the context of the vintage, not a shy Pauillac, perhaps due to that expressive old vine Merlot? There is a pinch of soy on the finish that continues onto the aftertaste. Feisty Clerc-Milon for those who want a bit of va-va-va-voom in their Pauillac. Drinking range: 2019 - 2038 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2015)

More briary, robust and structured than its stablemate d'Armailhac. Impressive vineyard depth - a serious Pauillac on top form. (Highly Recommended Pauillac, Decanter.) Drinking range: 2020 - 2035 Rating: 91 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2015)

In my opinion the most compelling wine from the Mouton stable this year was the Clerc Milon – this really shone. Its release price is 8 per cent up on the 2012 but still compares favourably with back-vintages.Victoria Moore, The Daily Telegraph (Apr 2015)

Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco, new leather and licorice flesh out in the 2014 Clerc Milon. Deep and pliant to the core, the 2014 boasts notable resonance from start to finish. Although not a huge wine, the 2014 is long on finesse and class, with silky tannins that balance some of the more overt elements. Hints of cedar, tobacco, earthiness and herbs add the final shades of dimension. Today, the 2014 is quite inward and not fully expressive, but it is nevertheless absolutely impeccable. The blend is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère. Rating: 91-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2015)

Very dark crimson. Mineral lift on the nose. Quite zesty and lifted and savoury - but the fruit is a little raw. Lots of freshness but not too stringy. Although, as for Armailhac, it’s a bit demanding and astringent on the finish. And does not last as long. Astringent finish. Lots of effort and density here. For the moment it’s a bit brawny and angular but it should come right in the end. Drinking range: 2023 - 2035 Rating: 16.5+ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2015)

Both nose and palate have a strong black fruit character firm black cherry backed by fresher bramble. There is mid sweetness hints of black truffles the sweetness giving way to freshness firmness on the back palate yet the finish is sweet with fair depth. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 88-92 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Apr 2015)

Clerc Milon is often a comparative bargain among Pauillac's classed growths and this is particularly true in 2014. Deeply coloured, vibrant and aromatic, it's a scented, complex wine with an undertow of acidity, well integrated tannins and the oak and concentration to age. Very attractive. (One of Tim's Top 10 Value Reds.) Drinking range: 2020 - 2028 Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2015)

Delightfully plump and juicy, with a core of fresh plum, blackberry and cherry fruit, lined with alder and dark tea notes. A long iron note is well-buried, and there’s more flesh here than in the d’Armailhac, with the tannins feeling rounder and more supple. Should be delicious. Tasted non-blind. Rating: 91-94 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2015)

A linear and fine Clerc with iodine, red clay and blueberry character. Full body and fine tannins. Tight and refined. Very straight and racy. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2015)