– very wet winter and spring: more than half of the annual rainfall came in the first four months of the year, including a record 240 mm in January;

– an extremely dry summer and autumn without any significant rainfall, resulting in a water deficit at the end of the year.

As a consequence of the summer drought, the grapes were numerous but remained rather small, making for density and concentration.

High temperatures in August and September allowed for slow ripening and excellent maturity so that the harvest started with the Merlot on 26 September and continued in perfect conditions until 15 October.

In the vat house, each grape variety and each plot were, as usual, vinified separately in order to let their intrinsic character shine through.

The wines, which have now been blended, offer remarkable colour, intense fruit and spice aromas and dense texture of very rich and well-rounded tannins.

Spurred by above-average temperatures, the vine growth cycle started slightly earlier than usual, at the end of March. Exceptional weather in April and May meant that flowering occurred 10 days earlier than the average for all varieties. After a very wet June, the summer was moderately sunny but dry, increasing a water deficit which started in 2016. As a result, the grapes remained small, with concentrated sugar and colour.

With an early growth cycle and a dry summer, the 2017 harvest was particularly early. It was also exceptionally long, as picking took place over four weeks across the three estates. At Château Clerc Milon, the harvest started with the Merlot grapes on 13 September and ended with the Petit Verdot and Carmenère on 29 September. Running-off ended on 20 October and blending was finalised in December.

The wines are rich, with a deep colour and an attractive tannic structure, both full-bodied and pleasantly fresh even though 2017 is a “solar” vintage. Less wine was made than in an average year because of the drought.

A cold and damp winter followed by a cool and wet spring held back the vegetation cycle and affected flowering.

In striking contrast, July and August were particularly hot and sunny, with considerably less rainfall than the average. Peak temperatures of 38° C caused violent storms in late July.

The water shortage continued in September, encouraging the grapes to ripen evenly. The Cabernets were promising and overall the grapes achieved satisfactory sugar levels with good potential acidity.

The harvest at Château Clerc Milon began on 1 October and ended on 9 October, with exceptional help from Baron Philippe de Rothschild employees, who were invited to come and swell the ranks of the regular pickers. Over 130 staff members responded to the appeal and on 9 October, 695 meals were served in the harvesters’ refectory, an all-time record!

Sorted with painstaking care, the grapes were transported from the picking baskets to the gravity-fed vats in the Clerc Milon vat room.
Although yields were among the lowest of the last 40 years, draconian selection ensured high quality.
The 2013 vintage has been tended, fashioned and fine-tuned so as to get the very best out of the grapes.