Château Duhart-Milon 2018 Magnum
Type: Red Wine
Vintage: 2018
Grapes: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot
Origin: Pauillac, France
Description: Discussing the A.O.C. Pauillac entails addressing one of the Bordeaux regions most renowned for the quality of its wines. Three of the five first growths from the Official Classification of Bordeaux Wine of 1855 are located here (Châteaux Lafite, Latour, and Mouton Rothschild); even the lesser crus of this area closely approach this standard of excellence.
Among the foremost ranks is Château Duhart-Milon, owned by Château Lafite Rothschild, positioned to the north of the A.O.C. Pauillac, in the Aquitaine region of French Médoc, abutting the Gironde estuary. This esteemed French winery boasts 112 hectares, partitioned into three distinct areas: on the slopes of the château, in the neighboring region of Saint Estèphe, and on the adjacent Carruades plateau to the west. From the latter parcel—characterized by soils of fine gravel, aeolian sand, and tertiary limestone—the grapes for the red Château Duhart-Milon are harvested.
This specific plot of 76 hectares, situated on the Milon hillside (which extends along the Carruades plateau), is under the stewardship of Eric Kohler (Technical Director of Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Duhart-Milon), who is supported by the oenologist Christophe Congé and vineyard manager Louis Caillard. The vines, averaging 39 years of age, are cultivated using the same traditional techniques (manual harvesting and vineyard work, yield control, judicious use of organic fertilizers, etc.).
During vinification, the grapes from each plot are processed in separate batches to preserve the identity and characteristics of the terroir. The different batches are vatted for fermentation in two distinct rooms: the first, in large oak barrels; the second, a slightly more contemporary setting, with stainless steel tanks. Post-fermentation, around December, each cuvée is tasted and evaluated. The subsequent step is the racking, where the wine is separated from the pomace (fermented skins). The press completes the process before the onset of malolactic fermentation in Domaines cooperage barrels with a special toasting. Following the blending and the requisite fining with egg whites, Château Duhart-Milon is transferred back to barrels for aging, which lasts between 10 and 18 months.
Tasting notes: "The 2018 Duhart-Milon is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, with the Cabernet Sauvignon harvested September 25 to October 4 and the Merlot harvested September 17-25, and it has 14% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of Black Forest cake, plum preserves and crème de cassis with hints of spice cake, woodsmoke, potpourri and eucalyptus. Full-bodied, rich and laden with layers of black fruit preserves and spices, it has a velvety texture and just enough freshness, finishing long. Very impressive--the densest, most opulent Duhart I have tasted!"
Pairing: Excellent pairing with mature cheeses.
Alcohol: 14.5%