Château Duhart-Milon 2015

The vintage

The start of winter was mild and Sec and it wasn't until late January that the beneficial cold weather arrived, accompanied by rainfall. Bud-break began in early April as usual, and the vines then developed rapidly thanks to the Réserves of water and the temperate climate. In June, flowering was early and even, a promising sign for the harvest.

The influence of the ocean and estuary mitigated somewhat a hot summer with high temperatures. Water stress was high, but the rains in August provided the necessary coolness for veraison and perfect ripening. Ideal conditions prevailed at harvest time, enabling us to get the best out of each plot.

Harvest: Merlot: September 17 to 23; Cabernet Sauvignon: September 28 to October 6

Situation

The Pauillac appellation is located on the Rive gauche of the Gironde estuary, around 40 km north of Bordeaux. Benefiting from the influence of the estuary and a great diversity of soils originating from the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, Pauillac combines exceptional climatic and geological conditions to produce great wines.

Terroir

The vineyards of Château Duhart-Milon extend almost in a single block on the west side of Château Lafite Rothschild, on the Milon hillside which extends the Carruades de Lafite plateau. The estate comprises 76 ha of vines. The soils are fine gravel mixed with Aeolian sands on a tertiary limestone subsoil.

Vinification

Château Duhart-Milon is made using traditional Bordeaux winemaking methods. The grapes are meticulously sorted and then, depending on their parcel of origin, placed in wooden, cement or stainless steel vats for alcoholic fermentation. Light pumping-over is carried out during fermentation to optimize Extraction. Total maceration time is approximately 20 days before racking. Following malolactic fermentation, the wines are filled into French oak barrels made by Tonnellerie des Domaines to Pauillac. The barrels are individually tasted in December to ensure a strict selection of the finest wines. Following this selection, the wine is blended and then filled into oak barrels (50% new wood).

Tasting

Tasted at bottling in June 2017.
The wine has a beautiful dark garnet-red color.
The nose is deep, good harmony between the classic young woodiness of our Tonnellerie des Domaines and the wine's fresh fruit. Nice licorice notes.
On the palate, it develops quickly and is immediately very present. Consistent, balanced and long-lasting.
Beautiful finish with cherry notes.
Very good ageing potential.