Chateau Duhart-Milon

Pauillac

 

Classification:

Fourth-growth

 

Vineyard (red):

Surface area: 165.5 acres

Average age of vines: 20 years

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Density of plantation: 7,5000 vines per hectare

Average yields (over the last 5 years): 55 hectoliters per hectare

Total average annual production: 480,000 bottles

 

Grand Vin (red):

Brand name: Chateau Duhart-Milon

Appellation: Pauillac

Mean annual production: 200,000 bottles

Upbringing: Grapes are picked manually. Fermentations occur in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks for 18-25 days. Wines are transferred to oak casks when malolactics are over (around December) and stay there for 18 months. Fifty percent new oak is used, and all casks come from the tonnellerie of Lafite. Wines are racked every 3 months, fined with egg whites, and filtered before bottling.

 

Second Wine:

Brand name: Moulin de Duhart

Average annual production: 180,000 bottles

 

NOTE: About 50% of the total production is selected for the grand vin and 35%-40% of the rest for the Moulin de Duhart. Surplus is sold as Pauillac.

 

Evaluation of present classification: Since 1982 should be upgraded to a third-growth.

Plateau of maturity: 8-25 years following the vintage.

 

"The 'other' Pauillac chateau owned by the Rothschilds of Lafite-Rothschild fame, Duhart-Milon, was purchased in 1962. Since 1982, Duhart's wines have been generally very good and occasionally outstanding. The style veers toward the balanced elegance and finesse school of winemaking exemplified by this estate's bigger sister, Lafite-Rothschild."

 
Rated "Very Good" Robert M. Parker Jr.

 

Chateau Duhart-Milon 1996       

(4º Growth)

(Part of Lafite Stable)

 
Wine Spectator: “Dark-colored, with lovely aromas of licorice, berry and spice.  Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a spicy, fruity aftertaste.  A bit tough on the finish, but well made.  Best after 2000.”

 

Rated 89 Wine Spectator

 

Robert Parker: “The 1996 may turn out to be the finest Duhart-Milon produced since the 1982.”

 

Rated 90 Robert M. Parker Jr.