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. — 7 years ago

Adam Nesto

9.0

The first one was good. The fourth one wasn't. — 9 years ago

Emily Miloni

9.0

2015 Omaha Crush — 10 years ago

Elizabeth Criner

9.3

A favorite! Happy Fourth! — 10 years ago

Trevor Donoghue

8.9

Fourth of July — 10 years ago

Fadi Yako

9.1

Chateau Marquis de Terme - Margaux - 2005- Fourth Growth - Grand Cru Classe en 1855- dark garnet / full body/ well balanced- Aromas/Flavors: Violets/ dry berries and pepper on finish. Get ready to pay between $50 to $100 depending on retailer. At the beginning of his drinking window. Very approachable can keep it for 10 years easy. — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.4

12th generation winegrower and only the fourth generation as winemaker — 11 years ago

John B

9.1

Fourth bottle of the night, so no notes. But very enjoyable. — 7 years ago

Rob Mayes

9.7

Outstanding. Winner of the weekend. — 8 years ago

Genevieve O

10

Stone harbor Fourth of July! Salmon dinner — 8 years ago

Justin Travis

9.0

Fourth-growth Bordeaux 👌🏻 — 8 years ago

Yianni Stone

9.4

Fourth time tasting the '78. A gem. — 9 years ago

with Haley and Matt

Amy Yan

9.5

Fourth of six bottles. It went fabulously with the Kobe skirt steak. Quite possibly my favorite cab. — 9 years ago

Joe Cracco

9.5

Birth year fourth growth. Dry Dry aged beef, mushrooms, lentils, foie and carrots paired with gravelly dark fruit. Cedar and soil. Touch of smokey pepper. #juicy@30. — 9 years ago

with Digna

Emily Miloni

9.0

2015 Omaha Crush — 10 years ago

George Hesse

9.3

Fourth of July celebration. Thank G-d for the French! Who helped us get our independence. Excellent nose. — 10 years ago

with Mark, Yvonne and 2 others

Devin Smith

10

Fourth of July winner — 10 years ago

Jennifer Jane

9.5

So full bodied and peppery. Tastes like a delicious blend of cab sauv and zinfandel. Drank this at Bear Creek Cottage with a delicious meal of steak, grandad's potatoes and fresh corn on the cob over Fourth of July weekend! — 11 years ago

with Joshua

Michael Paparo

9.4

An interesting treat on the Fourth of July! — 12 years ago

Jim Chen

9.4

Doesn’t get much better than this. Chinese New Year 2018 — the fourth dog! — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Happy Fourth of July!!! 🇺🇸
No better bottle to open than a magnum for a celebration.

A ton better than the last time and another magnum. Deep garnet red. Layered nose with dark fruits, plums, spices, purple floral notes and toasted wood. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and medium to medium plus body. Palate has notes with black cherries, dark cocoa, and gravel. Long finish. Drink till 2020. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Fourth of the blind tasting for Father's Day weekend.

Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Dark fruits with a touch of acetone or whiskey on the nose. Some cigars and dark cocoa as well. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and medium bodied. A touch lighter than expected. Extracted dark fruits and bitter dark cocoa on the palate. A little unbalanced with a medium plus finish. This is still a baby and needs time to settle. Drink till 2029. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Chip Hughes

9.1

Fourth day open; absolutely rocking. Rhubarb, hard candy, balsa wood, flint. Suave, fine, Burgundian. #sancerre #pinotnoirs — 9 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.0

Happy Fourth of July! — 9 years ago

Carson

8.9

First bottle was corked. Took it back and exchanged it at my local wine store and they were more than happy to switch it out. After acquiring the new bottle, I let it breathe for approximately 16 hours before imbibing what was otherwise a fantastic wine. Large plum and blackberry notes brought this magenta toro to life. A hint of spice and mild tannins on the finish left a pleasant intrigue that only spurred the desire for a second, third, and fourth glass. — 9 years ago

Nathan J. M. Locke

9.2

Fourth bottle of the 2013, still as enjoyable as the first #notallinonesitting — 10 years ago

Christin Stanford

9.4

Fourth of July dinner at Andy & Carla's - great rose - less sweet than Robert Sinskey - good food, good friends! — 10 years ago

Kirk Irwin

8.9

Hearty thick nose - plum, PLUM...and vanilla. Light on the tongue, good fruit, not over or under sweet. Good wine. — 10 years ago

Ehren Jordan

Owner/Winemaker Failla Wines

9.5

Muy delicioso! — 11 years ago

Johnny Kozlowski

9.4

Fourth generation family. Exotic fruit rich with tasty finish. Stony in character — 12 years ago