Clerc Milon 2004
Our monopoly recently got a couple '04s. Since everything I've read about the vintage (structured, acidic, leaner and more classical - seems the gist of what I've read) seems like it should be much to my taste, I decided to try the wines out. Though I do prefer my wines on the old side, I do find that even wines meant to age can be thrilling for the first couple years after release - this is my excuse for killing a baby.
I have now been enjoying the Clerc Milon for two days. This wine really does seem like a younger brother of Mouton. It has the same spicy and exotic, oaky nuances and dark toned, sweet and exotic fruit. Yet it isn't so refined nor apparently so Cabernet dominated. I haven't checked the cépage, but I wouldn't be surprised if this has quite a bit of Merlot in it. The oak is a bit forward now, but that's not surprising for a young Bordeaux. The oak isn't a superficially sweet, vanillary and vile concoction, so I might hazard a guess that it will integrate with time.
The palate started out very tannic and extracted and frankly more on the "modern" side than I would prefer. But just two hours in the decanter calmed that. Since then, the palate has been just lovely: by no means can this be called underfruited, yet it is a savoury and acidic style. Though it is a surprisingly approachable wine so young, I do consider it a rather masculine Pauillac. The aftertaste is very fresh.
I like this, and will probably buy another bottle or two to age.
-Otto-
