A very fresh nose of tobacco, lead pencil and cassis. It has plenty of acidity in the mouth, with a relatively lean mid-palate. I like it, with its slight tartness of fruit and cedar and leather development. It is mid-weight, nicely balanced and tasty.
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I think I’ve got one left, from your note it sounds like acid might outlive fruit?
Time to drink up?
Thanks.
Dan Kravitz
My first full case purchase of Bordeaux en futures. I was but a wee lad. And like the fool that I was, drank these suckers in like five years.
Plenty of life yet Dan. It is an old school luncheon Claret.
Bought some of these en primeur. My first foray into the murky world of Bordeaux futures. Reckon I paid around $A30 all up at the time. Still have a few other chateau left - always quite liked the vintage. GPL and Les Forts de Latour are pretty tasty.
Had this from a magnum last year in Bend, Oregon to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Went great with the food from Ariana. I thought it had plenty of life left.
This was the first big gamble of James Suckling’s career.
The WS website still has the original review from the Top 100 Of 1998:
#4
1995 Château Clerc Milon Pauillac -
Like smelling a delicious raspberry sauce with hints of coffee and smoke, and the wine that follows is wonderfully structured, muscular and well toned. Full-bodied, with sleek and racy tannins and a long, characterful aftertaste. One of the top buys of the vintage. Best after 2001. 15,000 cases made.
- JS
95 pts, $25
I just checked free Wine-Searcher, and these days, Clerc Milon is a $75 to $90 wine.
Fifth Growth. Cinquieme Grand Cru Classe.
Almost a Franklin.
SMDHing.
I bought a case too en primeur and the wine was/is old school indeed. And its a 1995! That means it took a long time until the tannins melted and the inner quality shines through. Only in the last few years the wine came into balance. Before it was pretty austere. The tasting note of Jeremy is spot on.