2016 Chateau Clerc Milon, Pauillac, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

The 2016 vintage in Pauillac was marked by a very wet winter and spring, followed by a hot, dry summer and autumn — conditions that encouraged slow ripening, small and concentrated berries, and excellent maturity at harvest. Harvest stretched from September 26 to October 15.

At the winery, each grape variety and vineyard plot was vinified separately — letting each parcel’s character show.

The result is a wine with depth and density, and a polished, refined texture: dense fruit, integrated oak/spice, structural tannins and a serious Pauillac backbone with finesse rather than just brute force. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Clerc Milon sits in the northeastern part of the Pauillac appellation — on the slopes of Mousset and Milon — neighboring the legendary first-growth estates. Its 41‑hectare (≈ 100 acres) vineyard is planted with high vine density (~10,000 vines/ha), featuring a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and a small but notable amount of Carmenère — in fact some of the oldest Carmenère plots in Bordeaux (dating to 1947). 

The soils are composed of wind‑blown gravel and sand over a clay-limestone base — ideal for drainage and slow, even ripening.

The climate benefit from proximity to the Gironde estuary, which helps moderate extremes and fosters a favorable microclimate.

Since its acquisition in 1970 by the family of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the estate has undergone a complete resurgence: the vineyard area expanded, modern, environmentally minded winemaking facilities were built (a gravity-fed vat room added in 2007; a semi‑underground barrel cellar and tasting facilities completed in 2011) — making Clerc Milon one of the most technically advanced estates in the Médoc. 

The estate blends tradition with innovation: precise parcel selection, sustainable vineyard practices, optical‑sorting at harvest, and careful vinification all contribute to quality and consistency.