Duhart Milon 2014

Pauillac, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2014 Duhart-Milon is a wine that performs shockingly well, far better than I would have expected given its showing just after bottling. Here, it has a detailed, focused bouquet with graphite infused black fruit, smoke and cedar aromas. Quintessential Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit attired with a subtle marine influence, seaweed and oyster shell. I admire the crescendo of this Pauillac, the manner in which it builds in concentration with a precise and quite powerful finish, without losing any of its precision. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Score: 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2045 Date: 01 March 2018

The 2014 Duhart-Milon-Rothschild is clearly a level up in quality compared to the Moulin de Duhart this year, with ample blackberry and cedar scents on the nose. As I observed from barrel, it is less austere than previous vintages of Duhart. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, plenty of blackberry laced with tobacco, Chinese five spice and just a faint hint of dark chocolate right on the finish. It should drink well over the next 12-15 years.

Score: 89 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2033 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château Duhart-Milon 2014 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot that was picked from 29 until 10 October and 23 until 29 September respectively. It has a more fruit-driven nose than usual, a little less tertiary and austere than the Duhart's of old perhaps. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite sappy black fruit and well judged acidity. Nicely focused as usual here with a touch of salinity coming through on the finish. I feel that it is just missing the sense of dimension and authority that a great Duhart can possess, but it retains the aloofness that I admire so much. I will remain cautious for the time being and see how it fills out during its élevage.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2023-2038 Date: 01 April 2015

Aromas of blackcurrants and sweet tobacco. Wet earth to boot. Full-bodied, tight and chewy with firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Needs three or four years to soften. Try drinking in 2021.

Score: 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

This is very solid and muscular with dark berries and blueberries. More merlot than normal but shows a serious structure that underlines the excellence of the cabernet. Small production of cabernet here with 45% merlot in the blend.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 20 March 2015

Mid crimson. Lightly floral nose. Then some real substance and palate weight. Masses of tannins well managed to make a pretty competent medium-weight claret. Nothing showy but well done. Very much in Lafite style. Bone-dry finish with some persistence.

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2023-2035 Date: 15 April 2015

This has yet to soak up its oak and remains a bit raw, but the juniper and alder notes should meld easily enough as the core of plum and raspberry coulis flavors is ripe and fleshy. Shows ample grip through the finish, with a prominent tobacco streak adding texture. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015

55CS, 45M. Muted nose of dark fruit and chocolate, then more weight than Carruades. Pure and clean with lots of texture and layers of black fruit and graphite building up to a serious finish.

Score: 91 - 94 Albany Vintners, - Date: 01 April 2015

The 2014 Duhart-Milon is a bit bombastic in this vintage. Scents of leather, smoke and tar meld into a core of intense dark fruit. Powerful and voluptuous on the palate, the 2014 shows the influence of a higher than normal percentage of Merlot in the blend. Firm yet well-integrated tannin carry the finish. The 2014 comes in at 12.8% alcohol, but feels richer and weightier than that. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot.

Score: 88 - 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015