CHATEAU CLERC MILON ‘PASTOURELLE DE CLERC MILON’, PAUILLAC 2011

36% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot & 31% Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 was one of the hottest, sunniest and, above all, driest of the last forty years. Very warm weather in April and May gave the vegetation cycle a head start: flowering was recorded on 15 May, the earliest date in living memory, and veraison started two-and-half weeks earlier than normal. Conditions in July and August were very different, bringing less sunshine and significantly more precipitation. By the end of August, however, only 326 mm of rainfall had been recorded since 1 January, compared with an average of 519 mm.

The wine is an attractive, glittering, deep red. The refined and delicate nose is full of ripe fruit and cherry aromas with a suggestion of kirsch, mingled with pepper and liquorice. From a precise, clean and well-structured attack, the rounded body fills out on cocoa and leather, together with slightly smoky notes. Lingering tannins give the wine a lovely, long, fresh and succulent finish.