History
A legendary terroir, a prestigious neighborhood, a providential encounter: the history and success of Château Clerc Milon are summed up in these three words. The terroir is that of Pauillac, where some of the world’s greatest wines are produced. The neighborhood is that of Mouton and Lafite, illustrious Premiers Crus whose nearby vineyards can be seen from the terrace of the Château. As for the meeting, it was with Baron Philippe, who acquired this then almost abandoned estate in 1970, and undertook to restore it to its rank of Cru Classé.
Finally, thanks to the Baroness Philippe, Clerc Milon, one of the most appreciated Châteaux in the Bordeaux region, is today equipped with technical installations and reception areas worthy of its reputation.
Terroir
Château Clerc Milon today has 41 hectares of vines, located in the north-eastern part of the Pauillac appellation. It mainly occupies the beautiful croup of Mousset, which overlooks the Gironde. This slight slope favors both natural drainage and sunshine, while the proximity of the river creates a microclimate that protects the vines from spring frosts, reduces the risk of hail and brings freshness in summer. Two thirds of the soil is made up of deep sandy gravel, sitting on a clay-limestone base that outcrops on the eastern part of the estate.
The vineyard is planted with five grape varieties typical of the region: cabernet-sauvignon , merlot , cabernet franc , petit verdot and carmenère . It has an average age of 53 years, probably one of the highest in the Médoc. Mostly planted before the development of clonal selection, it conceals an exceptionally rich genetic heritage. The density of plantation, high, varies from 8,500 to 10,000 plants per hectare depending on the plots.
Viticulture is practiced in ‘integrated’ mode, respecting the environment and strictly limiting the use of phytosanitary products. The vineyard is subject to careful monitoring and a strict selection of plots, which have nothing to envy to those practiced at Château Mouton Rothschild.
A wine for long ageing, a successful marriage of gravelly and clay-limestone terroirs, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, powerful, tannic, fruity and harmoniously structured, Château Clerc Milon possesses all the elegance typical of the best Pauillac crus.
