Chateau Clerc Milon 2018

A distinguished Pauillac renowned for concentrated cassis, blackberry, graphite, cedar, tobacco, and violet aromas. Rich yet impeccably balanced, it delivers silky tannins, vibrant freshness, refined structure, and exceptional depth with outstanding aging potential.

Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, roast lamb, venison, duck breast, truffle dishes, aged Comté, or wild mushroom risotto.

96 Points - Decanter

This is an extremely successful Clerc Milon in a run of great vintages at the property. Lovely purity, clear, substantial tannins, and real poise and tension. Persistent, succulent and full of cassis, licorice and crushed mint. Seriously impressive and built to go the distance. Harvested from September 17 to October 10. The blend is completed by 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère. Drinking Window: 2026–2045.

96 Points - James Suckling

This is demure, rich and deep but still quite fresh. Blackberries, tar, peppercorns and twists of licorice and cigar on the nose. Full-bodied with plenty of ripe, dusty tannins. Structured and distinctive with a long, ample finish. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère.

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast

This opulent wine is as bold with its fruit as with its tannins. The initial velvety texture masks the dense structure that will allow it to age impressively. Blackberry flavors, acidity and intense richness come together in layers of ripe fruit. Drink from 2026.

96 Points - Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

Commentary: The 2018 Château Clerc Milon is one of the vintage's rock stars.

Tasting Notes: This wine excels with outstanding aromas and flavors of black fruit and oak, along with a host of subtle, complex nuances. Give it a few years in the cellar before opening. (Tasted: June 25, 2021, San Francisco, CA)

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2018 Clerc Milon is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it offers a beautifully delineated nose of crushed blackcurrants, fresh black plums and boysenberries with hints of wild thyme, damp soil, tar and black olives. The medium- to full-bodied palate delivers taut, muscular black fruit layered with savory complexity and a firm, grainy texture, finishing long with a mineral edge.

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

From an estate located between Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild, the 2018 Château Clerc Milon is a ripe, sexy, full-bodied Pauillac that delivers richness while remaining impressively elegant. Blackcurrants, blackberries, smoked earth, new leather and cedar herbs lead into a layered palate with chewy tannins, terrific balance and a long finish. Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new French oak, it needs 4–6 years of bottle age and will evolve beautifully over the next 20–25 years.

93 Points - Wine Spectator

This throws off a lovely stream of violet and cassis aromas and flavors that are sleek and pure, picking up dark cherry, iron and sanguine notes along the way. Refined and built for the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carménère. Best from 2023 through 2035.