Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.6

Unparalleled smoothness. Chestnuts and dried fruit. Oak and leather. At the Yamazaki distillery. — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

A Great night to say the least:
Magnum of Gargiulo money ranch road,
2000 Bryant, 25 year Macalllan. Totally forgot to post this pick from a few weeks back!
The Bryant drank as good as any French Bordeaux that I’ve ever had. The money ranch toad was mediocre in comparison and the 25 year Macallan was 2nd only to the amazing company we had in our house that night!!
Great times to say the least!
— 8 years ago

with Christine

Nicola Morvillo

9.3

On 25/1/18 Gianpaolo — 9 years ago

October Cleveland

9.0

Lazy hazy washing down Peat's Bite. — 9 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Golden straw color, dried apricot, honeysuckle, guava and a floral nose. Bit of a sweet caramel to start, opens up up to floral/fruit flavors. Interesting white blend. — 9 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.2

I like this wine. It has good fruit, and is full-bodied. Some tannins, but not overpowering. Picked this up for around $16 at a local warehouse club. I think it normally retails for $20-$25. Excellent quality for the $16 price point. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose on this wine is stunning baring the alcohol heat. Perfumed red florals and candied dark and lighter red fruits. While the wine is truly elegant, the alcohol is seriously burning the back of my throat. The bottle reads 14.1 but I think over 15 degrees. Maybe, they wanted to save on the higher alcohol tax. The wine starts so beautifully only to burn the back of my throat. The fruits are ripe, elegant and beautifully soft. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, faint back palate of strawberries, sweet/soft leather, black licorice, violets & roses, rich delicate & sweet wet black earth, soft light baking spices, caramel, milk chocolate, figs & dates, amazingly sweet dark minerals, touch of black tar, touch of spice and a rich long elegant dark fruit liqueur finish. I would score this wine higher if it didn't punish my palate and throat with the burning alcohol finish. — 10 years ago

Christanna Honer

9.5

Over delivering. Drinks like a Reserva, and a steal at $25. Leathery fruit and creamy silkiness. Long earthy finish. Evolving constantly. Showing wonderfully, drink up! — 11 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.5

Not sure what the "experts" are talking about, because this vino nobile is off the hook. Incredible nose of camphor, menthol, and tart berries that emerged with more time in the glass, this is a textbook example of a vino nobile, which I have always viewed as a hypothetical hybrid between a chianti classico and a brunello di montalcino. A terrific wine that is just starting to emerge. Leave it for a couple of years, decant, and enjoy! — 11 years ago

with Phil

Patrick Carney

9.6

Ocean prime — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Wine bears vineyard named to honor the Red-shouldered Hawks & other birds of prey that play a vital role in sustainable farming practices. Golden with aromas of tropical fruits and sweet floral scents. Aged for 14 months, 75% in new French oak and 25% in stainless. A rich Chard, the palate shows sweet melon, pineapple and peach flavors and citrus notes, subtle yet complex and well balanced. Lingering finish, savory, ending with mineral tones and creamy toasty oak. Outstanding! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The 06 vintage was more highly praised by the Bordelais than it delivered. That’s not to say, some producers didn’t deliver.

This 06 is not at its peak...still needs a few years. Will it be a wine that blows you away? Not likely but, it will deliver nice fruit, earth & balance. Especially, with a Ribeye.

The nose shows; ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry cranberries & some black plum. Saddle-wood, limestone minerals, dry stones, cinnamon, soft spice, light vanilla, black rich earth, touch of black licorice and red & dark fresh florals.

The body is round and a little lean but puts on weight with food and decanting. The structure, length & tension are falling into place. The fruits are ripe and expressive. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, haunting blue fruits, dry cranberries & some black plum. Saddle-wood, touch herbaceous, mint, limestone minerals, dry clay, dry stones, cinnamon, soft spice, cola, light vanilla, black rich earth, touch of black licorice and red & dark fresh florals. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is on the leaner side but, well balanced and lasts a full minute. 9.1 without the Ribeye, 9.2 with it.

Photos of, Duhart Milon, Cabernet ready to to be pressed, wine making facilities and their barrel room.

Producer history and notes...the Rothschild family is divided into two sects for lack of a better word. There are the ones that own Mouton Rothschild and Cleric Milon etc. and the other owns Lafite and Duhart. The two sides of the families don’t necessarily get along. However, they are two of the oldest/wealthiest families in recorded history.

Duhart Milon was originally known only as Chateau Milon. At one time the estate was the second wine of Chateau Lafite.

The story about how this came to be is interesting. The owner of Lafite at that time was the Marquis Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur. King Louis XV called him “The Wine Prince” because of his extensive vineyard holdings in Bordeaux. The Milon vineyards were well regarded but, not as good as Lafite, which is how the wine came to be thought of as the second wine for Lafite.

In 1815, the property was considered by some people as a fourth growth Bordeaux wine in the making. In those days, the wine was sold under the name of Chateau Mandavy-Milon. Between 1830 and 1840, the Casteja family inherited the estate.

The label of Duhart Milon, according to family tradition came about from an old legend written about one of their ancestors, Sir Duhart. Sir Duhart, was rumored to have been a pirate for Louis XV. He retired in Pauillac. The “Pirate’s House” on the Pauillac port existed up to the 1950’s. That original building inspired the label for the Duhart-Milon wines.

The Casteja family remained in possession of Duhart Milon until the first part of the 20th century. At the time, Chateau Duhart Milon was one of larger Pauillac estates with around 50 hectares of vines.

In 1937, the result of successive inheritances led to the sale of Duhart Milon. The Left Bank property went through five different owners in just 25 years. As well, the vineyards were split up and with the frost of 1956, the quality of Duhart Milon continued declining until the Rothschild family purchased the property in 1962.

At that time of the sale, Chateau Duhart Milon included 110 hectares of land, of which only 17 hectares were planted with vines. The entire vineyard was in desperate need of replanting. Major renovations were urgently needed in the vineyards, which demanded work on the drainage and replanting.

The size of their vineyards were also increased with the purchase of other parcels adding to the size of their Medoc holdings. New cellars needed to be built as well.

Chateau Duhart Milon remains one of the few 1855 Classified Growth estates without an actual Chateau. At Duhart, all you will find are the cellars, vatting rooms and barrel storages.

During the period of 1970 to 2000, the vineyards nearly doubled in size! Additionally, they constructed new cellars, renovated and modernized their wine making facilities as well in 2003. By 2008, the wine of Duhart Milon increased in quality, stature and price.

Much of the price increase had to do with the association with Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which had by that time, become the most in-demand, collectible wine in China. By the time the 2015 vintage was offered, prices had dropped to a more affordable price level due to changes in Chinese laws regarding client gifts/bribes.

The 152 hectare vineyard of Chateau Duhart Milon includes; 76 hectares of vines planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. This makes Chateau Duhart Milon one of the few 1855 Classified Growths with only two grape varieties planted in their vineyards.

The average age of the vines are 30 years old. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 7,500 vines per hectare.

Duhart Milon vineyards are located in northern Pauillac, on the western side of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, on the Milon hillside, which is not far from the Carruades plateau...now Lafite’s second wine. This places the vineyard quite close to Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Clerc Milon. However, because of micro climates, this is a slightly cooler terroir, due to its northern exposure.

The naturally cooler soils provides more freshness to the wine, and allows for later picking. The terroir of Chateau Duhart Milon is a combination of gravel, sand and limestone soils. The Duhart Milon vineyards are unique in Pauillac, as the vines are for the most part, located in 1 single, large parcel.

The vinification of Chateau Duhart Milon takes place in temperature controlled stainless vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. Chateau Duhart Milon is then aged in an average of 50% new French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months, depending on the vintage.

There is a second wine, Moulin de Duhart, that was created in 1986. There is also a third wine produced by the estate, Baron de Milon. — 8 years ago

James Pendergrass

9.0

Enjoyed this one as well. Definitely more levels than 24. — 10 years ago

with Peter

Dave Hendrickson

9.4

25 years old, going strong — 10 years ago

Martin Frowde

9.0

Pale straw colour with hints of green apple. A bouquet of tropical fruits with some herbaceousness and again that green apple edge. Juicy lemon, melon and grapefruit flavours with a light mineral edge and perhaps some dry herbs on the finish. Not overly acidic and although initially quite concentrated it opened up quite quickly. Worth noting that the vineyard's tasting notes advise drinking it within the first 2 years of release. Overall a good value, if atypical, Marlborough (which we found in Costco) though alas not at all to my wife's taste! — 11 years ago

with Georgina

Vinport.com

9.0

Breaking out a special bottle for the 4th of July. 25 years old and still a beautiful wine. Don't wait any longer though on the 1990.. drink asap. — 11 years ago

Marshall Parrish

9.5

"Love is Blind" tasting. Shocker, my favorite of the night is a $25 Shiraz. An everyday that taste like a weekend. — 12 years ago

with Daidra and Bruce

Todd Mundt

9.0

Palazzo Della Torre Veronese IGT 2010. 70% corvina Veronese, 25% rondinella, 5% Sangiovese. Ripasso. Lots of dark fruit but a beautiful balance. — 13 years ago

Natalie Griffin

9.4

Great champagne blend with sharp bubbles and toasted caramel notes. Some green apple. Excellent especially at $25. — 7 years ago

Shala W Summey Iii

9.1

This is very good bargain in the $25 range. This and the J Lohr Hilltop are favorites in this price range. — 7 years ago

Jennifer Stadnicki

8.9

One of the better zins I've had. Raspberry and blueberry notes. Versatile and bright. WS 90 - 2015 cellaring until 2027! $17-$25 — 8 years ago

Lisa Albertson

9.0

Actually, a very good sparkling!! — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

9.5

What a delicious Bas-Armagnac. Rich with vanilla and caramel notes all in abundance. But what makes this such a delightful spirit is its intensity, smoothness and the finish that lasts several minutes. Twenty five years aged, and some, this Bas-Armagnac was a little treasure that I picked up at a store that was, sadly, closing. I'm glad I did. — 9 years ago

Natalie Hicken

10

Shannon brought. Loved!
Regular edition did not love. Kept awake. — 9 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2010 - After 7 y a cardinal red colour, laurel, cherries, eucalyptus and leather, smoooooooth taste from 75% merlot 25% cabernet franc. I love this wine, a Point for winelovers that like fruity wines, way too young for the ones who like their wine mature (like me). Rather rustic. #côtesdecastillon #merlot #loveit — 9 years ago

Regional Wines & Spirits

9.6

Because, it's Saturday. And we can. Enjoying more after being open for several hours and a few degrees warmer. Vive La France! — 10 years ago

John Pablo Martin

9.0

Good for a 25 year old cab. Defiantly will wait to release on newer vintages — 11 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.5

1992. Anniversary wine at the restaurant we've been going to for 25 years and got engaged at! — 11 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.1

1990, This lovely Pauilliac is showing beautifully after 25 years!
Tasted double blind and guessed perfectly (with a bit of luck) ;-).
The wine has a red - terra cotta color, a lovely nose, full of bell peppers, herbs, leather, current, cherry, dry leaves, coffee and much more, the body is full, powerful, rich and complex, with well integrated soft tannins. The wine is balanced and the finish is long and delicious. A great wine. My score 91, drink to 2022. — 11 years ago

Andrew Kitz

9.1

For a luxury Napa blue chip, it's always a really solid wine. At least it doesn't take on that wet dog smell like so many of the others. Talkin' hyper-expensive ones too. — 13 years ago