2020 Duhart Milon Rothschild
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Tasting notes
Domaines Barons de Rothschild has made significant investment in a new winery for Ch. Duhart-Milon and, if the 2020 is anything to go by, it was worth the expense. The uplifting fragrant yet classic nose of vanilla, menthol, cassis and graphite minerality screams Pauillac. There is a lovely finesse to the tannins – detailed, very fine and matched by a lovely juiciness on the mid-palate. It is so much plusher than normal, but very Lafite-like in its restraint. There is mouth-watering acidity too. This is excellent, medium-bodied classic Bordeaux with a long finish. This really is a step up for the estate, with a new level of elegance to the palate.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Open, black fruit, something biscuity on the nose. Firm but juicy on the palate but a bit drying on the finish. (JH)
The 2020 Duhart-Milon has a classy, well-defined bouquet, with brambly red fruit, pencil box and scents of autumn leaves, gradually gaining intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with rather dry tannins that render this quite serious at the moment. It has good substance but is missing a bit of brightness and charm at the moment. Even so, I would contentedly cellar this for three or four years because there is potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
The most underrated wine in the Lafite stable these days has put in another strong performance with the 2020 Duhart-Milon, as this somewhat cooler, later-ripening site is well adapted to warmer vintages. Unfurling to reveal aromas of cassis, plums, cigar wrapper, loamy soil and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and layered, with polished tannins, terrific depth at the core and a long, sapid finish.
About the producer
Ch. Duhart-Milon is a leading Pauillac estate owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild, alongside Ch. Lafite Rothschild. It benefits from the same winemaking expertise and has seen significant investment in recent years.