2008 was not quite at the level of brilliance we see from Clerc Milon today, but this is an excellent wine nonetheless. It opens and uncurls to reveal lush and dense black fruits with a roasted coffee bean edge. It's not at the cold ash stage yet, but has certainly developed glowing embers and a gentle hint of tobacco leaf. There is succulence to the finish, and the tannins are still evident in that squeeze of acidity.

75% cabernet sauvignon 22% merlot 3% cabernet franc & petit verdot. The vineyard consists of gravel over sandstone and clay with vines planted at a density of 8000 vines per hectare. A flowery nose offers back notes of cedar leather and mild tobacco. On the palate blackberry takes center stage framed by supple linear tannins and excellent fruit-to-acid balance. While maybe not the most broad-shouldered from the appellation it compensates with balance and integration. Age for a dozen or so years.

Starting to show just a hint of lightening in the color, the wine is medium bodied, fresh, soft and offers its red fruit and licorice with ease. Classic in style, with a reserved character, you can drink this now, or age it a few more years to gain more nuances to accompany all that fresh, juicy, tobacco filled cassis.. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2008&wine=Chateau%20Clerc%20Milon

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. The Clerc-Milon 2008 has an earthy broody bouquet with dark plum blackberry and cedar aromas a saline note in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins fine delineation and good substance. It is a little oaky on the tobacco-tinged finish but there is enough fruit to back it up. Very fine. Tasted January 2012.

The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2008 Clerc Milon offers attractive aromas of toast black currants and forest floor. Deep full-bodied rich elegant and moderately tannic this impressively endowed 2008 is an outstanding success from the Mouton Rothschild staff (who are responsible for making this wine). It will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and should drink well for 15 years.

This offers a solid structured core of red currant cherry skin and fig notes laced with savory herb violet and light-handed toast. There's nice cut on the iron-tinged finish with some depth in reserve for the cellar. Drink now through 2016. -JM