2021 Château Duhart-Milon En Primeur
Released this morning at £336 per six bottles, 2021 Château Duhart-Milon impressed us when we tasted it at Château Lafite-Rothschild last month. We arrived at Lafite having already tasted that day at Calon-Segur, Montrose and Cos d'Estournel. After these impressive amuses-bouches, Duhart really distinguished itself, with a strong family resemblance to Lafite coming from the very fine tannic structure.
As at many chateâux on the left bank, Merlot was particularly hard-hit by mildew in 2021, hence many blends have an exceptionally high proprtion of Cabernet Sauvignon in them in this vintage. The burst of fine weather at the start of October allowed the Cabernet to develop particularly fine aromas, until it was harvested on 8th October.
Jane Anson's tasting note (below) rings true for us, describing this as a 'serious' and 'precise' which will nevertheless be thoroughly 'enjoyable' (93 points). At just under £70 per bottle on your table (i.e. with taxes, at the prevailing rate) this is a relatively affordable way to experience a wine very much from the Lafite-Rothschild stable. Do let us know if you would like to add some to your cellar.
Offered en primeur, landing spring 2024.
To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Duhart-Milon, Pauillac
Château Duhart-Milon is a Quatrième Cru Classé in Pauillac. Named after the Pauillac village of Milon and a pirate (yes...a pirate) who served Louis XV, Sir Duhart. Sir Duhart lived in the pretty château depicted on the label, built in the 18th century, but demolished in the 1950s, and like Cerc-Milon, the estate does not have its own château. Owned by Lafite-Rothschild since 1962, it was for a time considered a 'second wine' for Lafite.
The 76 hectare vineyard is planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, with a terroir of gravel, sand, limestone and clay soils. The average age of the vines is 30 years old. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 7,500 vines per hectare. The estate shares its technical director Eric Kohler with Lafite-Rothschild.
