Duhart Milon 2016

The 2016 Duhart-Milon has an unusually opulent bouquet for a Pauillac, offering blackberry, raspberry coulis, sage and light cedar aromas. The medium-bodied palate offers fine tannins and well-judged acidity, though overall it comes across a little conservative and does not quite deliver the flair and finesse of the appellation’s top crus.

Score: 92

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2045 01 August 2020

The 2016 Duhart-Milon-Rothschild is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot picked between 26 September and 12 October with around 13.3% alcohol, slightly higher than in 2015 that suffered a little dilution. The bouquet is tightly wound with blackberry, cigar box and sous-bois aromas that gently unfold in the glass. This is classic, conservative Duhart-Milon. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a crisp line of acidity, just a touch of black pepper enlivening the black fruit. Overall, this represents in some ways a return to the slightly more austere style of Duhart-Milon, yet there is perhaps now more approachability and certainly plenty of freshness. For me, this is a step up from the 2015 and it comes recommended.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2023-2045 28 April 2017

The 2016 Duhart-Milon is an attractive midweight wine. Floral aromatics and soft, silky tannins give the wine its gracious personality. Dark cherry, plum, lavender and new leather all develop in the glass, but above all else, the 2016 is a gentle, subtle Pauillac that shows the more understated side of the year. I imagine it will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. Today, the Duhart is perhaps just a touch narrow in its construction. It will be interesting to see if it fleshes out a bit more during its aging.

Score: 89 - 91

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 25 April 2017

Streamlined and pared back to the essentials, this is an excellent Duhart that has the classic reserve of this wine but with a pure fruit quality. There is a beautiful balance between fruit and tannins, and a clear elegance, almost surprsingly soft for a wine known to be backwards when young. But the softness is deceptive because there is both concentration and richness, it's simply the 2016 sleight of hand. From a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, to be aged in 50% new oak.

Score: 95

Decanter, - Maturity: 2027-2050 20 April 2017

67% Cabernet Sauvignon picked from 3 to 12 October, 33% Merlot picked 26 to 29 September. Dark glowing crimson. Black pepper and intensity on the nose. Bone dry and enormous energy and savour. Real elegance and some majesty. Neat and well balanced. Bravo! Very much speaks of the vintage with its freshness and intensity. (17+)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2027-2042 18 April 2017