Administrator Philippe Dhalluin has produced a firmly structured 2011 Clerc Milon that displays notes of red and dark cherries intermixed with earthy, dusty characteristics, medium body and good purity. Slightly angular, it will benefit from some bottle age, and should evolve for 15 or more years. The only troublesome element is the tartness in the finish, which should soften and dissipate in several years. 88 points

Beautiful rich garnet hue. Subtle nose of mature fruit. A touch discreet on entry then offering plenty of savours on the pleasant and mid-weight palate. Well-coated tannins. More austere than D`Armailhac this year. Expression of fruit still a little subdued at this stage. IPT. 80 (the same as last year - idem for acidity levels). We`ll see what comes out of the elevage. 87-88 points

The 2011 Clerc-Milon, a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenere and 1% Petit Verdot, has a lifted sorbet bouquet that usually seems more extravagant and precocious than d’Armailhac. The palate shows slightly higher acidity than the d’Armailhac (pH 3.65 compared to 3.75 for the d’Armailhac.). It is slightly pinched at the moment, very linear and strict with a little hardness on the finish that should soften with time. This will be more representative after bottling. 88-90 points

One of the few wines in the Médoc to use Carmenère (even if it’s only 1% of the blend), this is dense and concentrated, with lashings of smoky oak, plush bramble and liquorice fruit and sweet, polished tannins. It’s quite a worked wine, but it’s hugely drinkable too, with ripe fruit for the vintage and bags of flavour. 10+ years. 93 points