2025 Clerc Milon, Pauillac

A balanced, graceful Pauillac, the 2025 Château Clerc Milon is based on 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Carménère and Petit Verdot, still resting in barrel. Cassis and black cherries, graphite, and a crushed stone-like minerality all define the nose. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied with a pretty, pure, almost understated profile that builds nicely with time in the glass. It's a beautiful Pauillac in the making, and I'd certainly be happy with bottles in the cellar.

The 2025 Clerc Milon was picked from September 3 to 19 and matured in 55% new oak. The oak shows a little more than the d'Armailhac at the moment, though that will be subsumed with time. I suspect it will need longer bottle age to fully integrate. The palate is very rounded and supple on the entry, a mixture of red and black fruit, a little white pepper and tobacco, gaining more weight towards the finish with a sustained aftertaste. I feel this might have the edge over the d'Armailhac this vintage—let's see. (NM)