Another big vintage, when it became clear that Clerc Milon was hitting a different level, and you feel it in the glass simply by hovering your nose in its vicinity. This is serious, monumental, will benefit from a few more years in bottle. Black cherry, damson, mint, ecualpytus, chocolate, coffee, silky texture, supple and satiny and full of character and life. You can either drink today with a good carafe, or happily hold it back. 50% new oak. Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy technical director.

Opulent aromas of plum, blackberry and cassis reveal a still tannic and dense palate: needs five more years to enter a proper drinking window. Though not yet reaching the heights of later vintages (the new winery opened in 2011), 2010 is a star. Given cooler clay soils, the grapes ripen later than at Mouton Rothschild, under the same ownership, but the long hang time of 2010 ensured ripening. Aged beef sirloin in a peppercorn sauce pairs well.

Gorgeous currants and spices with licorice on the nose. Full body, with super integrated tannins and a long, long finish. The texture and beautiful fruit just wants you to drink this. Give it time but hard to wait. Try in 2016.

Medium-bodied, and vibrant, this has entered the start of its prime-time drinking window. Now, you can enjoy the spicy edge you find on all the red fruits, flowers, tobacco, cedar, herbs, and mint leaves. Soft, silky, and refined, the finish focuses on its spice-tinged red berry cherry character. Allow the wine 1-2 hours in the decanter and it will offer up all its pleasures. Drink from 2022-2037.

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Clerc Milon rolls effortlessly out of the glass with open-knit scents of baked black cherries, blackberry preserves and crème de cassis with hints of leather, unsmoked cigars and dried sage with a waft of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with concentrated black fruits and framed by firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long with great purity.- LPB

Confirming its place in the firmament of Pauillac greats, Clerc Milon’s 2010 has huge density, and is packed with dark tannins and blackberry flavor. It has a delicious freshness that cuts right through, lifting the concentration. With its tannins, this promises long-term aging.

Rock-solid, with layers of baker's chocolate and espresso lining the steeped plum and blackberry fruit flavors while intense charcoal fills in on the hefty finish. Backward now, but showing excellent intensity and dark fruit, with a tug of singed iron on the finish. Best from 2018 through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. – JM