2017 Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Cru Classé Pauillac

The 2017 Duhart-Milon has a crisp, pencil lead scented bouquet, introverted at first, a little conservative with smoke and freshly rolled tobacco. It is classic Duhart-Milon really. The palate is medium-bodied with a sharp, pointed entry. This is already quite austere and saline in the mouth, just a little toughness towards the finish that should soften by the end of the élevage. There is something almost standoffish about this Pauillac, a noticeable bell pepper tang developing towards the finish that lingers after the wine has departed. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

The 2017 Duhart Milon is deep, luscious and fruity, with lovely mid-palate depth and pliancy. Soft, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red and blackish fruit. The 2017 is a very pretty Clerc Milon with plenty to recommend it. This is really quite lovely. The blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot. Duhart is another impressive wine in a portfolio from Lafite that is especially strong this year

Very pretty chocolate and dark-berry character with a medium to full body, soft and silky tannins and a fresh finish. Balanced and refined.

A brilliantly elegant, suave Duhart, one of the successes of the appellation for me. This is a classically structured Duhart, a wine that is not overly exuberant but that has a sense of direction and balance, and is well held together. There's a very attractive quality to the tannins, joined by dark bilberry fruits that gain weight through the palate. It doesn't quite have the dense concentration and richness of 2016, but that was an exceptional vintage. This is a wine that I look forward to following as it ages.

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, the 2017 Duhart-Milon is beautifully scented of crushed red and black currants, black raspberries and spice cake with suggestions of lavender, cloves and rose hip tea. The palate is medium-bodied, very soft and elegant with seamless freshness and a lingering spiciness on the finish.