2021 Château Duhart-Milon, Pauillac, Bordeaux

Tasted blind

Mid bright crimson. Polished tannins and some sweet-cedar quality but not that much in the middle. Acidity on the end.

Drink 2028 - 2036

The 2021 Duhart-Milon was the second year in the new cellar that Eric Kohler said allowed them to make a stricter selection, including more vin de presse 14%). The 2021 has a typical Duhart nose, with cedar and pencil box aromas percolating through the black fruit. The new oak is neatly integrated. The palate is very well-balanced with finely chiselled tannins. This gently fans out on the graphite-tinged finish, a little more peppery in style than I remember out of barrel. Perhaps it will be more approachable than recent vintages, but it has the substance to age.

Drink 2026 - 2045

The 2021 Duhart-Milon is a very pleasant surprise. There's very little Merlot this year, and that seems to result in a serious, at times somber, Duhart-Milon. Black cherry, gravel, spice, licorice and graphite build beautifully with time in the glass. The 2021 is gorgeous.

Drink 2028 - 2041

The 2021 Château Duhart-Milon brings another level of richness, yet it still plays in the pretty, medium-bodied, elegant style of the vintage. Slightly darker red and black fruits, tobacco, and leather all define the aromatics. It has ultra-fine tannins, beautiful overall balance, and the class to evolve nicely for 15 years or more. I think it's a beautiful wine.

Drink 2024 - 2039

The 2021 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, offering up incipiently complex aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of orange zest, burning embers, pencil lead and iris. Medium to full-bodied, suave and polished, with a layered core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will offer a broad drinking window.

Drink 2027 - 2045

First year organic conversion, 30hl/h yields, 50% new oak, Eric Kohler technical director, Olivier Bonneau deputy technical director previously at Château d'Arsac).

Finessed, precision-cut tannins, this is a successful Duhart in the old school style, showing that here they are able to deliver a sombre, subdued, but high-quality take on tannic Cabernet Sauvignon: crushed mint leaf, crayon, raspberry leaf, slate, fresh earth. Slightly higher Cabernet in the blend than usual, this perfectly encapsulates the harmony and drinkability of 2021 in the right hands and is one of the few that you can see really developing like 2001 classic Duhart.

Drink 2025 - 2040

After a few minutes, soft notes of dark chocolate, red cherry, blackcurrant, green peppercorns, and strawberry leaf emerge from the glass. The palate is full and smooth—silky and sustaining with a lovely fresh juiciness but a matching texture that gives a wide expression and layers of chalk, wet stone, graphite, and blackcurrant. It feels nicely structured and not opulent at all—in keeping with the vintage but with a certain fullness and sense of character.

Well delivered. I love the juiciness here; it is really mouthwatering - clean and clear - precise, but carefully presented with a delightful texture and long menthol finish. Very enjoyable and already very drinkable. It's subtle, nuanced, and totally moreish, and the flavour really lingers. So smooth and silky.

Drink 2026 - 2040

81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot.

The blackberries, blueberries and currants are very impressive, with flowers and an undertone of lead pencil. Cedar and sandalwood. Medium body, with very fine tannins that are focused and refined. Lovely length. Elegant and almost Burgundian. It is very drinkable now but will age wonderfully.