2020 Château Clerc Milon Grand Cru Classé Pauillac

The 2020 Clerc Milon is composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36.5% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Carmenère. The wine has a beautiful crystal clear garnet red color with violet accents. The fresh and elegant nose exudes ripe morello cherry aromas followed by subtle notes of licorice and toast that complete a rich and complex yet light and airy bouquet. The wine is initially refined and silky, but on the palate the power of finely chiseled tannins gathers, wrapped in fresh flavors of red fruit, dark chocolate and dried flowers. The rich and harmonious flavors lead to a stylish and juicy finish with a slightly minty freshness. This has the potential to age incredibly long.

Château Clerc Milon is located in the northeast of the Pauillac appellation, on the beautiful Mousset ridge overlooking the Gironde. The winery has some 41 hectares of vines planted on a gentle slope that promotes both natural drainage and exposure to sunlight, while the nearby river creates a microclimate that protects the vines from spring frost, reduces the risk of hail and cooling in the summer. The soil consists of sandy gravel and clay-limestone. The vineyard is planted with 5 typical varieties of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Carmenere (1%). The average age of the vines is 53 years, probably one of the highest in the Medoc. The density of the vines is high, varying between 8,500 and 10,000 vines per hectare, depending on the plot.

ABOUT 2020

A particularly mild winter and significantly higher-than-normal temperatures in early spring led to an early shoot, about ten days earlier than the long-term average. Fortunately, a snow shower at the end of March had no effect on the vines. Spring remained warmer than usual, with periods of heavy rainfall, especially in early May. Regular conditions returned in mid-May, bringing warm and dry weather and a significant acceleration of the vegetation cycle, especially during flowering, which occurred 12 days earlier than average. Contrasting weather in June gave way to early summer heat waves and drought, particularly noticeable in July. However, rains in August triggered the veraison process and helped the berries ripen evenly. The grapes were in perfect condition when the picking started. The 2020 harvest was one of the earliest ever, favored by exceptional anticyclonic weather and rising temperatures that brought all grape varieties to full maturity earlier than usual. The harvest at Chateau Clerc Milon took place between 9 and 28 September in ideal weather. The grapes were in perfect condition yielding beautifully balanced wines that are very full on the palate, supported by powerful yet seamless tannins and displaying great freshness. Although the yields were not exactly generous, the quality of the wines is such that the 2020 vintage will be one of the great successes of the decade.

FACT: Did you know that you get a nice discount if you choose to pick up in our Wine Warehouse