Château Duhart-Milon 2023

Delicate on the nose, refined on the palate, with precise tannin structure, plenty of elegance and length. An exceptionally refined Duhart.

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 that was picked late, between September 25 and October 3.

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.

Bright, fresh, and vibrant, as well as elegant are the hallmarks of this vintage. Opening with notes of currants, flowers, chocolate, cigar box, and cherries which fill the nose. Medium-bodied, fresh, forward, soft, and creamy, the wine finishes with spicy, black with red currants with a savory as well as minty fresh endnote. Please allow it a few years in the bottle before pulling a cork and it should age for up 2 decades after that. The wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot. Drink from 2028-2050.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fine nougat, ripe black cherry, delicate hints of blueberry, candied orange zest, savoury tobacco notes. Complex, juicy, ripe dark berry fruit, delicate tannins, mineral on the finish, an elegant, balanced food companion.

Inky plum, far deeper in texture and intensity than Moulin de Duhart (in contrast to 2022, when both 1st and 2nd wines were intensely coloured). Classical Duhart on the attack, reserved and a little subdued, then waves of cassis, licorice root, spiced plum, ink, tobacco and cigar box arrive. High Cabernet in the blend, and it suits Duhart’s style and character. Tons of ageing potential, classical in style with precision, fully showcasing the pleasure of 2023 in the right spots. Around 65% first wine, 45 hl/ha yield, 15% press wine. Harvest September 7 to October 3. A buy.

Score: 92–94. A suave bouquet of blue fruits, pure and charming. The wine melts on the palate like someone snuggling into a sofa, with a very relaxed, deliciously creamy feel. A saline finish with just the right touch of bitterness.

93-95. Barrel Sample. The aromas of black fruits are allied to touches of licorice on what is a classic wine from this always improving estate. Pure black currants and concentrated acidity bring the wine its structure and potential.