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Duhart Milon Rothschild 2005

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

This property, which has benefitted enormously from tremendous investments from the Rothschild family that owns Lafite, has turned out a dense purple-colored wine in 2005. Offering broad, expansive, supple and silky tannin as well as loads of Asian plum sauce, blackcurrants, and sweet cherries, this wine is seductive, medium to full-bodied, and luscious. This successful effort from the Rothschilds should continue to drink well for at least another two decades. Drink 2015-2035.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015

The Château Duhart-Milon 2005 has a very classic bouquet: blackcurrant, wild strawberry, tobacco and clove all very well defined and intense, though it does not quite possess the precision or penetration of the Grand Puy Lacoste. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This feels so harmonious in the mouth, the acidity beautifully judged with hints of rosemary and clove on the finish. This is just beginning to open albeit at its own steady pace, but as usual, it needs time.

91
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2015
93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, February 2008

Tasted blind. Grey/black crimson. Savoury and focused. Good intensity. But just a little bit dead on the mid palate. Great intention but could do with a bit more lift. Fruit triumphs over tannins in this case. A tad sour.
Drink 2015-2030

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Medium ruby. Superripe aromas and flavors of blueberry, blackberry, bitter chocolate, licorice, menthol and Asian spices. Big, chocolatey and rich; much broader and more backward than the Carruades I tasted next to it but without that wine's perfume and light touch. Finishes chewy and youthfully medicinal, with a classic dryness and substantial tannins that call for seven or eight years of cellaring.

91+
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, June 2008

Deep colour, masses of structure and grip, a true Pauillac with florality, fragrance, structure and grip, fine firm tannins. Drink 2012-30.

18
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2006

Gorgeous nose of ripe black fruit. Sumptuous. Lots of sweet roasted fruit, balanced by ripe tannins. Wonderful control, polished yet serious. Drink from 2012. Awarded 5 stars.

18.5+
Decanter.com, Decanter.com, July 2008

Came 47th out of 184 wines

16.5+
-, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2009
Read more tasting notes...

The finest Duhart-Milon ever made? This structured, tannic, dense ruby/purple-tinged Pauillac offers up hints of cassis, licorice, chocolate, and earth. Medium to full-bodied with good purity, strong tannins, and undeniable elegance, it reveals a character not dissimilar from its renowned sibling, Lafite-Rothschild. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot, it is unquestionably outstanding, but to my taste, slightly less opulent than the estate’s ethereal 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030

94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008

The 2005 Duhart-Milon is not far behind the 2003 (which I rated 94 points). A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot, it reflects the fact that the Rothschilds and their administrator, Charles Chevalier, have been making a major effort to increase quality at this property. Firm and structured, with a deep ruby/purple color and hints of graphite, black currants, licorice, smoke, and earth, it possesses a textured, rich, pure center, strong tannins, and real elegance as well as length. Four to six years of bottle age will be required, and it should last for 20-25 years.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

Consumers should keep an eye on this estate as their wines are getting better and better. The 2005, while not at the level of the 2003, is an impressive blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. It offers classic cassis notes along with some of the lead pencil character of its more famous sibling, Lafite Rothschild, medium body, good purity, moderate tannin, and undeniable elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Lots of blackberry and smoky character. Full-bodied, chewy and rich. Lots going on here. Powerful. Impressive.

92/94
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Dark crimson and then that magic top-quality sleek oak that the Lafite stable specialises in on the nose. Really very classy indeed. Though this wine is no longer a bargain. Just a hint of sweetness but really a please-all classic claret. 13%
Drink 2020-2040

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2015

Very dark blackish crimson. Quite evolved on the nose. Sweet. Very opulent and gorgeous. Big and bold and utterly seductive. Just very slightly short but there is not a jot to complain about

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2009

Relatively inexpressive though clearly very dense. Deeply purple with more blue than Lafite. Much drier than Carruades but clearly very noble - very Cabernet, with very fine sandy tannins. Chewy and dry on the finish with (just) perceptible alcohol on the finish. Noble but slightly austere. Drink 2018-30

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2006
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.