2009 Chateau Duhart-Milon 4eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 1x750ml

Robert Parker 96

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. To the astonishment of our group of experienced palates, the Duhart-Milon ’09 took on all-comers under blind conditions and triumphed. I always regarded it as a fantastic Pauillac but this good? I mean … it received a higher average group score than almost every Grand Vin. It has a very intense bouquet with blackberry, mulberry, quince and a touch of dried flowers picked from down in Margaux. There is a slight meaty tincture suggesting some Cabernet Franc? The palate is medium-bodied but with superb fruit concentration. Again, there is a beguiling sense of precision and harmony that lends the finish weightlessness and poise. This is an effortless wine and a benchmark Duhart. Bravo! Tasted January 2013. [Neal Martin, 01/01/2013]

Vinous 89-92

(a 63/37 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot; 13.5% alcohol; IPT 70) Medium-deep ruby. The delicately scented nose is classic Pauillac: blackcurrant, violet, cedar and graphite. Enters smooth and seamless, with lively acids nicely lifting the blackberry, plum and smoky mineral flavors. Refined and restrained Pauillac, finishing sleek and long, with very smooth tannins and a lingering mineral quality. This speaks to me of high-quality cabernet sauvignon on gravel. One of the best young Duhart-Milons ever, and in this vintage it bears more than a passing resemblance to Lafite-Rothschild, which is under the same ownership, even though the two wines are obviously quite different. [Ian D’Agata, 01/05/2010]