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History
The history of the Clerc-Milon estate takes us back to the early 19th Century, to the land surrounding the small village of Milon, in the northwestern corner of the Pauillac commune. Here there were a number of vineyards, including one belonging to a M. Mandavy, which was eventually to become what we know today as Duhart-Milon. Adjacent to this was the vineyard of Jean-Baptiste Clerc, who was still in charge at the time of the 1855 classification when Clerc-Milon, as it came to be known, was ranked as a cinquième cru. Clerc died in 1863, but not before he had sold part of his estate to a gentleman named Lamena; nevertheless, what remained in his possession passed onto his widow. That part which had been purchased by Lamena was sold onto Jacques Mondon, who then mounted a legal challenge for the right to use the estate name of Clerc-Milon, which having been well placed in 1855 would no doubt have conferred some marketing and thus financial advantage. Despite owning a smaller part of the original estate, he won the case, and thus his vineyards took on the title of Clerc-Milon-Mondon. As the decades passed, though, the estate passed through a succession of owners and, as always happens in these circumstances, it gradually fell into disrepair.By the 1960s it was the property of local lawyer Jacques Vialard. Little wonder, considering its condition, that Marie Vialard and Madame Heron, who inherited the property upon Vialard’s death in 1970, were only too pleased to sell this moneypit on. This was to Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s advantage; he secured the estate for the paltry sum of one million francs. Over the next decade it saw extensive investment, with the refurbishment of the chai and the introduction of temperature-controlled fermentation equipment, stainless steel naturally. The fruits of the Rothschild's labours have been a succession of excellent wines, from the early 1980s onwards. The little village of Milon is situated near Chateau Lafite, but vineyards of Clerc-Milon themselves are situated in the northernmost part of the Pauillac appellation, closer to Mousset. Here Baroness Philippine de Rothschild – Baron Philippe’s daughter - can oversee activity at Clerc-Milon, Mouton-Rothschild and d’Armailhac, whilst keeping up to date with progress at her other interests in Chile (Almaviva) and California (Opus One), as well as the branded side of the business – such as the infamous Mouton Cadet.
Nowadays’ owner: GFA Baronne Philippine de Rothschild
Technique information
Location: Chateau Clerc-Milon is located in Pauillac, just between Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Adjacent to Duhart-Milon.
Appellation: Appellation Pauillac Controlee
Neighboring Chateau: Chateau Mouton-Rothschild(1st Growth of Pauillac in1855)
Chateau Lafite Rothschild(1st Growth of Pauillac in1855)
Chateau Duhart Milon(4th Growth of Pauillac in1855)
Acreage: 43 hectares
Soil: A mixture of sand and gravel, with more clay nearer the river.
Grape Varieties: 46%Cabernet Sauvignon, 39%Merlot, 12%Cabernet Franc, 2%Petit Verdot, 1%Carmenere.
Average age of vines: 40 years
Cultivation Density: 8,450 plants per hectare
Viticulture: by hand
Winemaking: Fermentation is in the stainless steel vats, the process lasting between 15 and 22 days, followed by up to 18 months in oak, of which 30% is new each vintage.
Yield: 40-50hl/ha
Brand: Chateau Clerc-Milon(First Label)(A.O.C. Pauillac)
Annually production: typically 14,000 cases
Character: The wines of Clerc Milon are firm and well structured due to the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon used to make them. They have hints of raspberry and black currant in the nose and on the palate. These wines are able to easily age for a decade or longer but are suprisingly accessible at much younger ages. They are often approachable when 6 or 7 years old.
Best Vintages: 1989, 2000, 2005
Awards: 5th Grand Cru Classe in 1855 Pauillac
Website: http://www.bpdr.com/
http://www.thewinedoctor.com/bordeaux/clercmilon.shtml
Serving Suggestion
Cellar Humidity and Temperature: 75-85%, 15 ℃
Serving Temperature: 17-19 °C
Optimum drinking and ageing potential: 10-20 years
Food match:
Western Food: This wine will perfectly accompany grilled red meat or abalone in tasty sauce but will also enhance mushroom flavours nicely, also excellent with game.
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