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Duhart Milon Rothschild 2003

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Duhart-Milon

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Tasting Notes

A spectacular wine, and one that could have been bought for a song when it was released, this blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot was cropped at 33 hectoliters per hectare. Strutting all of its nobility, richness and majesty in 2014, it boasts abundant notes of cedarwood, creme de cassis, licorice and a hint of lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied, rich, dense and fully mature, it is capable of lasting another 7-10 years. This beauty is a big-time sleeper of the vintage. Drink 2014-2024

94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (214), August 2014

Blackberry with toasted oak and coffee aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long finish. Lovely texture to this wine. Dense and refined. Very tight right now. One of the best I have tasted from this estate. Best after 2009. 20,000 cases made.

92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Mid to dark crimson. Rich, sweet and raisiny on the nose. Very sweet indeed - a bit uncomfortable in that respect actually. With some drying tannins on the end. Claggy on the palate. (Average group score: 15.9)

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2010
92+
Farr Vintners, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2007

Ripe blackberry fruit; middleweight wine with a lovely fresh, natural balance; supple, harmonious, gracefully ripe-fruited and gently minerally Pauillac; complete, classy fourth growth: a particularly successful Duhart.

16
Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine (1), April 2004
Read more tasting notes...

Consumers should take note as this estate is clearly benefiting from increased attention from the Rothschilds. The 2003 may be the finest Duhart-Milon made ... ever! A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, it boasts a deep ruby/purple hue in addition to a big, sweet perfume of black fruits interwoven with roasted herbs and meat juice offered in a muscular, full-bodied style. Full-bodied, dense, and well-structured, this stunning cuvee is best consumed between 2010-2030.

92+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Along with the 1982, this is the greatest Duhart-Milon I have ever tasted. A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot that tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol (relatively high), this is a breakthrough effort and clearly a sleeper of the vintage. Deep ruby/purple to the rim with a stunning nose of charcoal, lead pencil shavings, black currants, and plums, the wine has a full-bodied, super-endowed, concentrated palate, beautiful purity, low acidity, but surprising freshness and vigor. The tannin is elevated, but sweet and well-integrated. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. Duhart is a chateau to watch as the Rothschilds (of Lafite) are making serious investments and pushing full-throttle to upgrade the quality and image of this estate.

91/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005

Potentially the finest Duhart I have ever tasted, the 2003 admirably reflects the efforts being made by the Rothschild family at this 72 hectare (180 acre) vineyard (since 1963, it has been completely replanted). A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, with a relatively high (for Bordeaux) alcohol content of 13.2%, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as sweet aromas of plums, black currants, and minerals, outstanding depth and breadth on the palate, low acidity, and excellent ripeness. Due to this estate’s lack of prestige, this will undoubtedly be a very good value. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (152), April 2004

Dense and refined. Blackberry, toasted oak and coffee aromas. Lovely texture. Full bodied with a long finish.

92
James Suckling, Wine Spectator, February 2006

Lots of blackberry, mineral and cedar aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with firm tannins and a licorice, berry and light spice finish. Very tight, yet round. One of the best I have tasted from this estate.

92/94
James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 04), April 2004

deep crimson. Meaty, full, substantial nose. Really deep, velvety and exciting.

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (April 04), April 2004
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.