Chateau Duhart Milon 2023

Chateau Duhart-Milon's grand vin is well-known for its Pauillac appellation. According to 1815 records, broker Guillaume Lawton noted its robustness, excellent color and odorous scent akin to burned sealing wax.

Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot

Wine Advocate: 94
The 2023 Duhart-Milon is showing very well from bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of cassis, violets, orange zest and exotic spices. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's supple and charming, with sweet tannins and a seamless profile that reflects the restructuring and viticultural efforts that have been underway at this estate for some time now. Long and sapid, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.

Wine Advocate: 94

The 2023 Duhart-Milon is showing very well from bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of cassis, violets, orange zest and exotic spices. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's supple and charming, with sweet tannins and a seamless profile that reflects the restructuring and viticultural efforts that have been underway at this estate for some time now. Long and sapid, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.

Decanter: 95
Some herbal bramble notes on the nose, soft dark chocolate, blackcurrant, flowers, liquorice and dark chocolate. Not huge aromatics, quite quiet. Round and smooth, a lovely juiciness but with weight and balance, gorgeous texture - a little salty and stony, a tiny bit grippy but gorgeous overall expansion in the mouth giving flavour without any overt heaviness. Lovely softness but this still has power and energy. Lifted and intense but so finessed. It has broad shoulders with graphite and wet stone touches alongside bramble fruit and great, almost piercing acidity. Lovely. 60% grand vin production. 3.8pH. 15% press. New cellar as of 2020.

Decanter: 95

Some herbal bramble notes on the nose, soft dark chocolate, blackcurrant, flowers, liquorice and dark chocolate. Not huge aromatics, quite quiet. Round and smooth, a lovely juiciness but with weight and balance, gorgeous texture - a little salty and stony, a tiny bit grippy but gorgeous overall expansion in the mouth giving flavour without any overt heaviness. Lovely softness but this still has power and energy. Lifted and intense but so finessed. It has broad shoulders with graphite and wet stone touches alongside bramble fruit and great, almost piercing acidity. Lovely. 60% grand vin production. 3.8pH. 15% press. New cellar as of 2020.

Vinous: 95
The 2023 Duhart-Milon was picked September 7 to October 3 and contains 15% pressed wine, matured in 50% new oak. It has a much more backward bouquet than the Moulin, displaying well-defined yet tightly coiled graphite-infused black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins that belie the backbone of this Pauillac. That graphite element is accentuated in the mouth and controls the classic finish that could only come from this appellation. This is excellent, but patience is required.

Vinous: 95

The 2023 Duhart-Milon was picked September 7 to October 3 and contains 15% pressed wine, matured in 50% new oak. It has a much more backward bouquet than the Moulin, displaying well-defined yet tightly coiled graphite-infused black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins that belie the backbone of this Pauillac. That graphite element is accentuated in the mouth and controls the classic finish that could only come from this appellation. This is excellent, but patience is required.

James Suckling: 95
Good depth, with a fresh herbal touch to the black currants and a hint of graphite, cocoa powder and spices. Layered and integrated, with fine, chiseled tannins, a fleshy core of fruit and a long, ample finish. A blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94
Deep purple-hued, the 2023 Château Duhart-Milon offers up undeniably classic Pauillac notes of cassis, graphite, smoky tobacco, scorched earth, and darker currants. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, it's medium to full-bodied and has a wonderfully balanced, layered mouthfeel, ripe, supple tannins, and outstanding length. It's another terrific effort from this estate that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise over the following two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94

Deep purple-hued, the 2023 Château Duhart-Milon offers up undeniably classic Pauillac notes of cassis, graphite, smoky tobacco, scorched earth, and darker currants. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, it's medium to full-bodied and has a wonderfully balanced, layered mouthfeel, ripe, supple tannins, and outstanding length. It's another terrific effort from this estate that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise over the following two decades.