Description
🏰 【 Winery Legend: Château Clerc Milon 】
Château Clerc Milon, located in the prestigious Pauillac appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, is a revered Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) from the historic 1855 Classification. The estate's vineyards boast an exceptional terroir, situated adjacent to two First Growth titans: Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Lafite Rothschild. In 1970, Baron Philippe de Rothschild acquired the underperforming estate and invested heavily in modernizing the vineyards and cellars, dramatically elevating the wine's quality. The label famously features a pair of 17th-century German silver-gilt dancers—an artwork housed in the Museum of Wine in Art at Château Mouton Rothschild—earning it the affectionate nickname "Dancing Twins" among many Asian collectors.
🌿 【 Terroir & Winemaking 】
The vineyard of Château Clerc Milon spans approximately 41 hectares, primarily situated on the beautiful Mousset crest in the northeastern part of Pauillac. The soil consists of deep sandy gravel over a base of clay and limestone, providing excellent drainage perfectly suited for Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard features relatively old vines, planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and a rare touch of Carménère. Following traditional vinification, the wine is aged in French oak barriques for 16 to 18 months, typically with 30% to 40% new oak, imparting the classic Pauillac structure and complexity.
📅 【 Vintage Analysis & Critic Scores 】
The 1991 vintage in Bordeaux is historically remembered as a challenging and dramatic year. A devastating spring frost on the night of April 20-21 decimated a significant portion of the region's buds, resulting in drastically reduced yields. However, top estates located close to the Gironde estuary, such as those in Pauillac, benefited from the river's microclimate and were partially spared. While not a blockbuster vintage, the surviving grapes produced well-structured, classically styled wines. Now fully mature, the 1991s offer a fascinating glimpse into traditional Bordeaux evolution.
🏅 Score: Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 86/100
"It reveals a healthy dark ruby color, an attractive, cedary, herbaceous, black-cherry-scented nose, medium body, and a soft, easygoing finish." - Robert Parker
Translation: 它展現出健康的深寶石紅色澤，帶有迷人的雪松、草本植物與黑櫻桃的香氣，酒體中等，餘韻柔和且平易近人。
🍷 【 Tasting Notes 】
👃 Aroma: After more than three decades of cellaring, the primary fruit has gracefully evolved into a profound bouquet of tertiary aromas. It opens with classic mature Bordeaux notes of dried cedar, old leather, cigar box, and tobacco leaf, intertwined with subtle hints of forest floor and damp earth.
👅 Palate: Medium-bodied, the once-firm tannins have completely resolved into a soft, seamless texture. A still-present acidity supports fading nuances of dried red cherry and plum, leading into mature flavors of licorice and dried citrus peel, reflecting the serene elegance of a fully aged wine.
✨ Finish: The finish is medium to long, savory and understated, leaving lingering impressions of dried spices, black tea leaves, and an earthy minerality.
🍽️ 【 Serving Guidelines 】
🌡️ Temperature: 16 to 18 Degrees Celsius
⌛ Decanting: As a delicate wine over 30 years old, heavy decanting is strictly discouraged. Simply stand the bottle upright for 24 hours to let the sediment settle, then pour gently straight from the bottle, or perform a very careful, minimal decant solely to remove the sediment.
⏳ Drinkability: This wine is in the late stages of its drinking window. It is highly recommended for immediate consumption and should not be cellared further.
🍴 Food Pairing: Herb-crusted rack of lamb, aged hard cheeses, classic Boeuf Bourguignon, or earthy dishes featuring truffle and wild mushrooms.
💬 【 Manager's Pick 】
⚡ This 1991 Château Clerc Milon is a beautiful snapshot of classic, mature Bordeaux! Despite the severe frost of 1991 that reduced yields, Pauillac's riverside terroir managed to deliver solid quality. Crafted under the expertise of the Rothschild family, this wine has aged for over 30 years and now displays gorgeous tertiary notes of cigar box, leather, and fully resolved tannins. If you want to experience the traditional, earthy elegance of an aged Pauillac without paying First Growth prices, this "Dancing Twins" is a fantastic choice. Drink up and enjoy the history in your glass! ⚡
⚠️ 【 Disclaimer 】 The above information is for reference only. Actual tasting experiences may vary depending on storage conditions and personal preferences. We strive for accurate data, but please refer to official releases for final confirmation.
