2018 Duhart Milon Rothschild

On slightly cooler soils that its sibling Lafite Rothschild and often a little austere in its early years, in 2018 you will find a more generous Duhard Milon, with velvety tannins and plenty of mid palate generosity, helped by blackberry and damson fruits, and touches of chocolate shavings and spicy cigar box, still with the slate and pencil lead character so typical of the property. Great quality, will age well. 3.84ph, 37.5hl/h yield.

The 2018 Duhart-Milon is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. With 14% alcohol, it has a deep garnet-purple color and a seductively ripe, opulent nose of plum preserves, blackberry pie and chocolate-covered cherries with hints of spice cake, potpourri, sandalwood and eucalyptus oil. Medium-bodied, it is jam-packed with rich, spicy black fruit preserves, with floral accents and a velvety texture, finishing long and fragrant. So. Good.

I was slightly disappointed in the 2018 Château Duhart-Milon, and while it's certainly a beautiful wine, it's not in the same league as the 2009, as I thought when tasting it from barrel. Nevertheless, it has impressive notes of red and black currants, new leather, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil shavings to go with a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant style on the palate. It has some up-front appeal, as the tannins are ripe and polished, yet it's going to improve over the coming 4-6 years or so and should hold nicely for 20 years or more.