The vintage
After a mild winter, spring was marked by the frosty nights of April 26 and 27, which hit the Bordeaux vineyards hard. Duhart-Milon, at its coldest Sec, was hit on 5 ha.
Conditions then became excellent, with warmer-than-normal temperatures and well-balanced, well-positioned rainfall. Flowering came early, and by mid-June we were almost 15 days ahead of average fruit set. After a good spell of rain at the end of June, temperatures remained slightly below normal for the rest of the summer. This enabled the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly from mid-veraison to mid-September, when harvesting began. A final spell of rain between September 10 and 20 disrupted the serene climate, but had no effect on grape quality.
The wines show great potential and a fairly classic character.
Situation
The Pauillac appellation is located on the Rive gauche of the Gironde estuary, some 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 vinified using traditional Bordeaux winemaking methods. The grapes are meticulously sorted and then, depending on their parcel of origin, placed in cement or stainless steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation. Light pumping-over is carried out during fermentation to optimize Extraction. Total maceration time is approximately 20 days.
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
Deep, dense color.
Nose revealing strong masked potential. Notes of licorice and cherry pits. Good attack on the palate, quite full and supple, although the wine is still "hindered" by the recent bottling.
The aromatic notes of the nose are repeated on the palate, well complemented by fresh red fruit. Elegant length. The very classic character of this vintage is already confirmed by the start of bottle ageing.
To take advantage of the biggest discount, we encourage you to get together with your family, colleagues or friends so that you can easily reach the 24 bottles and benefit from a 15% discount.