1995 Clerc Milon

Still some purple in the crimson. Less obvious nose than the Armailhac 1995. Hint of mint, solid and sweetly polished. Good effort to cover what must have bene pretty dry tannins, but less flavour than the Armailhac. Fresh and bracing and clean – a good palate cleanser. (JR)

Iodine, minerally nose. Furry tannins, just a slight lack of freshness. Very dry finish. Light and sandpapery on the finish – though much more integrity than most wines up to now. (JR)

The 1995 Clerc-Milon, a 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc blend, reveals more tannin and grip than the 1996 (ironically, the 1995 has more of a 1996 vintage character, and vice versa for the 1996). This attractive dark ruby/purple-colored wine has impressive credentials, and may merit an outstanding score with another year or two in the bottle. It offers a gorgeous nose of roasted herbs, meats, cedar, cassis, spice, and vanillin. This dense, medium to full-bodied wine possesses outstanding levels of extract, plenty of glycerin, and a plush, layered, hedonistic finish. A luscious, complex wine, it reveals enough tannin and depth to warrant 15 or more years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2015. A sleeper.