Chateau Clerc Milon’s New Label for 2010 Vintage

Chateau Clerc Milon has a new label for the 2010 vintage, inspired by the chateau’s brand new chai (more to come on the rash of new chais amongst the Bordelaise chateaux in a later blog) and designed by the famous scenographer Richard Peduzzi.

Richard Peduzzi is the interior set designer for the Louvre and d’Orsay museums in Paris and has designed opera and theatre stage sets across the globe, including the set for the 2009 “Tosca” for the New York Metropolitan Opera.

Also a painter, museum designer and furniture designer, Richard Peduzzi designed the proscenium arch of the Théâtre de l’Archevêché at Aix-en-Provence. He was director of the Villa Medici in Rome from 2002 to 2008.

Peduzzi has worked closely with the great theatre and opera director Patrice Chéreau and has designed the sets for most of Chéreau’s productions. Peduzzi was among the first to reclaim the central importance of stage design in theatrical productions.

He considers that the set design is integral to the performance and his style is often characterized by the use of imposing vertical structures captured by immense columns, boulders and towering architecture.

This is in fitting with Clerc Milon’s new image as the chateau seemed to need an architectural focus point – having no grand building at the vineyard.

Centuries ago Clerc Milon was somewhat of an obscurity despite being in a prime location and having superb terroir.

A half finished château sat amongst the vines. In 1970, the Baron Philippe de Rothschild purchased the property and began a complete renovation of the vineyards and the cellars.

Clerc Milon is a 5th Growth and sits just between the First Growths Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Lafite Rothschild. The château takes its name from the small village of Milon (in the north western corner of Pauillac) and Clerc which comes from Jean Baptiste Clark who owned the château in the 19th century.

Since its purchase by Baron Philippe de Rothschild Clerc Milon has had 2 labels. The first (from 1970 – 1982) depicted a Jungfraubecher – a German marriage cup dating from 1609 held in the Chateau Mouton’s Wine in Art Museum.

These silver marriage cups were traditionally part of German wedding ceremonies during the 16th and 17th centuries. They are in the form of a young maiden holding a basket on a pivot above her head. The maiden’s bell shaped skirt, when inverted, serves as a goblet. According to tradition, both the skirt and the basket are filled with wine.

The groom makes a toast, then drinks from the skirt, and then is to turn the figure right side up without spilling any of the wine in the smaller cup from which the bride then drinks. I wonder if the Baron chose the Jungfraubecher as a symbol of the “marriage” of Clerc Milon and Mouton?

The second label depicts a pair of dancing clowns made from precious stones which is from a 16th Century piece made by a 16th century German goldsmith, also housed in the Museum of Wine in Art at Mouton Rothschild. This has been the label for Clerc Milon from 1983 – 2009.

If you would like to learn more you can view a detailed brochure on the new chai and new label at at: http://issuu.com/saisondor/docs/plaquette-ang/2

Photo Credit: Opera News

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