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Situated in the prestigious Pauillac appellation, this estate has seen centuries of change, but under the guidance of the Rothschild family, it has blossomed into one of the most intriguing wines from Bordeaux. 

It all began in the 1800s, when the vineyard was part of a larger estate owned by Jean-Baptiste Clerc. Over the years, the property was divided, sold, and nearly forgotten. By the time the Rothschild family purchased the estate in 1970, it had dwindled to just a few hectares of vines in desperate need of attention. But Baron Philippe de Rothschild had an eye for potential and quickly set about restoring Clerc Milon to its former glory.

Caroline Artaud leads Château Clerc Milon, supported by vineyard manager Richard Martin and cellar master Frédéric Faure. Together, they craft distinctive wines while embracing innovation and sustainability. Managed by Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, alongside Château Mouton Rothschild and Château d’Armailhac, the estates benefit from the expertise of Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, Ariane Khaida, and Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy. Clerc Milon focuses on reducing treatments and promoting biodiversity to enhance the vineyard and protect the environment.

In a region known for its big names, Château Clerc Milon offers something a little different – a wine that tells a story of revival, passion, and innovation. It’s a perfect choice for anyone who loves Bordeaux but craves something with a unique twist.

First made in 2009, it was not named or sold until 2015.

Pastourelle de Clerc Milon is the second wine of Château Clerc Milon, one of Pauillac’s historic Fifth Growth estates, classified in 1855. 

The name “Pastourelle” reflects the artistic heritage of Château Clerc Milon. Historically, a pastourelle referred to a form of medieval sung poetry and later a traditional dance figure, echoing the estate’s longstanding association with culture, music, and movement.

Coming from the same terroirs as its senior, Pastourelle de Clerc Milon has been sold en primeur since the 2020 vintage. Though the blend often contains more Merlot than the first wine, it is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and rounded off by Cabernet Franc.

An ideal introduction to Château Clerc Milon, Pastourelle de Clerc Milon is a more approachable wine, built on freshness, fruit and succulence while still asserting its Pauillac origins. The wine’s name is reminiscent of Château Clerc Milon and its dancers. Pastourelle was a style of sung poetry in the Middle Ages and is also the name of a dance figure, originally a quadrille.

The 2018 Bordeaux vintage is widely regarded as exceptional, with critics praising its richness, balance, and aging potential. Vinous Media awarded it 96 points, claiming: "It is a very strong vintage that falls just short of being truly epic."

Aging: in French oak barrels

ABV: 14.5%

61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc.

The wine is an intense, crimson-hued garnet red. The solar, expressive nose exudes blackcurrant and blackberry aromas, then with airing goes on to reveal toasted and spice notes which mingle pleasantly with succulent, ripe black fruit.

From a generously flavoured attack, the mid-palate reveals smooth, fleshy tannins combined with a close-knit body on liquorice and chocolate notes, leading into a long and balanced finish which recalls the freshness of the fruit.

A pretty red with lovely density and intensity, offering lead pencil, blackcurrants and cherries. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Second wine of Clerc Milon. Drink or hold. ~ 92 James Suckling

Strong ruby garnet, faint ocher reflections, broader brightening on the rim. Inviting bouquet with dark berry confit underlaid with a hint of nougat, black cherry and some cassis. Juicy, ripe cherry fruit, chocolaty and vivid with well-integrated tannins and mineral on the finish; good length. Already showing some maturity, but will continue to age well. ~ 92 Falstaff

The 2018 Pastourelle de Clerc Milon is a pretty, fruity wine loaded with near and medium-term appeal. Juicy dark cherry, red plum, spice, leather and licorice are front and center. The Merlot-based Pastourelle is released a few years after the vintage, when the winemaking team believes it is ready to drink. ~ 91 Vinous Media

Touch of reduction on the first nose, clearing to show liquorice and earth. Lovely violet rim. This is rich but accessible, with sculpted blue fruits and an enjoyable weight through the mid-palate. Harvest took place between 17 September and 10 October. 12 months' ageing, no new oak. ~ 90 Decanter

Forward, elegant, soft and already quite approachable, this delicious wine is fully ready to go with all its sweet, fresh, ripe red fruits, tobacco, forest leaf and floral notes. This is perfect for ordering in a restaurant as it does not require decanting. ~ 90 The Wine Cellar Insider

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