TN: Chateau Clerc Milon 2004

[Ray Barnes]

This Pauillac chateau is I believe owned and managed by Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The 2004 had a very intriguing style, with a mix of blackcurrant, chocolate, and cherry liqueur. Nice purplish red, not too deep. In some respects it had the mouth texture of Burgundy, as if a few barrels of Mazis Chambertin were thrown into the mix. The aromas were pleasant but not exceptional. The overall weight was medium bodied, with refined tannins, and a long, rich finish. In its 12th year, this wine showed no sign of fatigue, and has easily another 5 years. By comparison to Les Forts de Latour and Chateau Leoville-Poyferre from the same vintage, I would put it somewhere in the middle, closer to the Latour 2nd wine. It was acquired as a future for about $35 a bottle and certainly worth the money. There is faint chance of finding a more recent vintage for anything close to that. Wish I could buy again. Overall rating: excellent plus, a real treat.