Duhart Milon

Château Duhart-Milon’s grand vin is often described as a model of the Pauillac appellation. The broker Guillaume Lawton noted as early as 1815 that “it is very robust, with a fine colour, and quite pronounced sappiness” (he describes the “sappiness” of the Médoc’s premiers crus as “something like the odour given off by finest sealing wax when it is burned”).

Winemaker notes

2021: Purple robe with hints of violin. The nose is still discreet, but already deep and warm, with hints of raspberry and cinnamon. The attack is straightforward and full, in the purest Duhart Milon style. The wine opens up gradually, rising crescendo in power. The finish is harmonious, finishing brightly on red fruits, accompanied by discreet vanilla notes.

2007

Wine Advocate 90: Showing better than it did from cask, this soft, generous, dark ruby/purple-tinged 2007 exhibits sweet black currant fruit intermixed with cedar, roasted herbs, and subtle smoke. Round, hedonistic, and already complex, this blend of 73.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26.5% Merlot should drink well for 12-15 years.

2016

Wine Advocate 93: Blended of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, the 2016 Duhart-Milon has a deep garnet-purple color and features plums preserves, wild blueberries and cassis scents with touches of violets and underbrush with a waft of tobacco. Medium-bodied and elegant, with a backbone of finely grained tannins and oodles of freshness, it has a great core of perfumed black fruit, finishing on an earthy note.

James Suckling 95: Enticing aromas of crushed berries, blackcurrants, sweet tobacco, hot stones and licorice follow through to a full body, chewy and dusty tannins and a long, flavorful finish. A juicy and savory young 2016. Try after 2024.

Vinous 92: The 2016 Duhart-Milon has an unusually opulent bouquet for a Pauillac, offering blackberry, raspberry coulis, sage and light cedar aromas. The medium-bodied palate offers fine tannins and well-judged acidity, though overall it comes across a little conservative and does not quite deliver the flair and finesse of the appellation’s top crus.

2017

Wine Advocate 91: Blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, the 2017 Duhart-Milon is deep garnet-purple colored and comes tumbling freely out of the glass with open, expressive black plums, Black Forest cake and blueberry compote notes plus savory wafts of woodsmoke, beef drippings, black olives and cumin seed with an emerging touch of cassis. Medium-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black plum flavors and a plush texture, lifted by seamless freshness, finishing spicy. Nicely done.

James Suckling 95: This is classical in style with lead pencil and sweet tobacco to the currant and plum undertones. Warm and cool at the same time. Full-bodied, tight and reserved with very polished, creamy tannins. It goes on and on. Compact, creamy texture. Try after 2023.

Vinous 91: The 2017 Duhart-Milon has really come together nicely with élevage. Dark and generous in the glass, the 2017 possesses terrific depth and tons of sheer appeal. Sweet tobacco, cedar, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs add tons of Cabernet savoriness that beautifully complements the ripe dark cherry and plum fruit. The 2017 is such a gorgeous wine.

Decanter 94: This is pretty austere, with tight tannins and a cassis and blueberry cool fruit feel, calm and collected with a juicy finish. A little more old school Duhart than we have got used to over the past few vintages, but one that suggests that this will do what all DBR Pauillac wines do... and age. You can see the 2001 / 2011 feel to the wine.

Wine Enthusiast 93: This structured wine has the freshest fruit, crisp with black currants. The core of dryness is important, bringing out density to balance the light touch at the back of the wine. Drink from 2023.

2019

Wine Advocate 94: The 2019 Duhart-Milon is showing beautifully, mingling aromas of cassis and wild berries with notions of violets, cedar wood, orange rind, licorice and spice box in a perfumed bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, it's charming and refined, with a deep core of fruit, powdery tannins and succulent acids. This château is going from strength to strength.

James Suckling 95: Aromas of currants and sweet tobacco with some lead pencil. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a long, linear finish. Very fine, silky tannins. Pretty is the word. Direct and precise. Better in 2025 and onwards.

Vinous 93-95: The 2019 Duhart-Milon was picked from 18 September to 4 October and raised in 50% new oak. Of course, this comes from one of the coldest terroirs in Pauillac due to the orientation of the vineyard and less proportion of clay, which has become an advantage in warmer growing seasons such as this. The 70% Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the aromatics with dense black fruit, pencil shavings and tobacco aromas, traces of dark chocolate in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with spicy black fruits on the entry. This is quintessential Duhart: a bit broody, conservative in a non-pejorative use of the word, harmonious and quite sturdy towards the finish. I like this. Whilst it has no intention of being the most flamboyant Pauillac on the gravel terrace, it is imbued with nobility.

2020

Wine Advocate 94: The most underrated wine in the Lafite stable these days has put in another strong performance with the 2020 Duhart-Milon, as this somewhat cooler, later-ripening site is well adapted to warmer vintages. Unfurling to reveal aromas of cassis, plums, cigar wrapper, loamy soil and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and layered, with polished tannins, terrific depth at the core and a long, sapid finish.

James Suckling 94: A firm and racy Duhart with currants, chocolate and walnuts. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely subtle fruit. A bright finish. Succulent and refined. Savory. Very, very fine. 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot. Drink or hold.

Vinous 93: The 2020 Duhart-Milon is a powerful wine, with Cabernet Sauvignon driving the blends with tons of savory and earthy character. Dark cherry, dried herbs, scorched earth, tobacco, licorice and menthol are all laced together. This virile, somber Pauillac needs time in bottle to blossom. I won't be surprised if it is even better in another few years' time. This opens beautifully with time.

Decanter 97: Suave, elegant and calmly confident. A masterclass in high-definition winemaking where all the elements are presented harmoniously with structure, freshness, complexity and a wide expansive finish. Tannins are well integrated giving support to the shining black Cabernet fruit that has strength, power and concentration but delivered underneath the savoury salinity, liquorice spice and minerality. There’s something very special about this. I love the sense of discretion, a wine that knows it has star quality but it’s not shouting about it. Pure and poised - incredibly inviting! A great buy.

Wine Enthusiast 94: This ripe wine has some serious tannins and rich black fruits. Behind the structure, a swath of black fruits gives the wine concentration and ripeness. Drink this textured wine from 2027.

2021

Wine Advocate 92: The 2021 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, offering up incipiently complex aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of orange zest, burning embers, pencil lead and iris. Medium to full-bodied, suave and polished, with a layered core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will offer a broad drinking window.

James Suckling 94-95: This is a really pretty Duhart and fans out nicely on the palate with medium soft tannins that are polished. Gorgeous young wine. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot.

Vinous 92: The 2021 Duhart-Milon is a very pleasant surprise. There's very little Merlot this year, and that seems to result in a serious, at times somber, Duhart-Milon. Black cherry, gravel, spice, licorice and graphite build beautifully with time in the glass. The 2021 is gorgeous.

Decanter 94: After a few minutes soft notes of dark chocolate, red cherry, blackcurrant, green peppercorns and strawberry leaf emerge from the glass. Full and smooth on the palate - silky and sustaining with a lovely fresh juiciness but matching texture that gives a wide expression and layers of chalk, wet stone, graphite and blackcurrant. Feels nicely structured, not opulent at all - in keeping with the vintage but a certain fullness and sense of character. Well delivered. I love the juiciness here, really mouthwatering - clean and clear - precise, but carefully presented with a delightful texture and long menthol finish. Very enjoyable and already very drinkable. Subtle and nuanced, totally moresih and the flavour really lingers. So smooth and silky.

Wine Enthusiast 95: Black fruit and toast aromas give this wine its perfumed character. It is generous—celebrating Cabernet Sauvignon—and structured, dominated by succulent blackberry fruits. It has aging potential.

2023

Wine Advocate 92-94: A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon (picked late, between September 25 and October 3) and 20% Merlot, the 2023 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, cherries and dark berries mingled with hints of mint, cedar and spice box. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with an ample core of cool but ripe fruit, sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish.

James Suckling 94-95: So much pure graphite and lead pencil here, together with blackcurrant and iodine aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with creamy and velvety tannins that are very polished. Cedar and some tobacco box. Deep and layered. Al-dente tannins. Precise.