Château Clerc Milon Pauillac 2017

This is a rich and profound red with blackberries, blackcurrants, pine needles and graphite. Black licorice, too. Full-bodied, crisp and creamy with fantastic tannin backbone and length. Deep. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot, 14% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot and 1% carmenere. Try after 2022.

This starts with a kick of violet before a well-built beam of black currant, fig and plum paste flavors enters authoritatively. Very solid through the finish, with chestnut, alder and graphite notes adding a defined bass line. Fresh acidity is well-embedded throughout, keeping all the elements in line. A strong showing. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenere. Best from 2022 through 2038.

With its elegant structure and a layer of firm tannins, this wine has density, a dry core and the black-currant freshness that comes with the vintage. The tannins will allow this wine to age well. Drink from 2023.

The 2017 Clerc Milon is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and offers up a gorgeous nose of potpourri, cinnamon stick, candied violets and kirsch over a core of warm cassis, plum preserves and boysenberries with a waft of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of muscular fruit with a firm, fine-grained texture and tons of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

The 2017 Chateau Clerc Milon checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Carmenere brought up in 50% new French oak. It's a much straighter, more focused, serious wine than the Pastourelle and has classic red and black currant fruits as well as medium to full body, a ripe, spicy, textured mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. It's another classic, balanced, nicely textured 2017 that's going to evolve well for 3-5 years and keep for two decades.