Chateau Duhart Milon 2009

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, it displays an inky/blue/purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, forest floor, licorice, lead pencil, cedar and subtle barrique smells. Viscous and full-bodied, it is the most concentrated and broadest example of this cuvee I have tasted in over three decades. It will be ready to drink in 5-7 years and should last for three decades or more. Consumers looking to maximize value should be checking out Duhart Milon, as this may be the single smartest purchase in this great and historic vintage! Since few consumers other than Chinese billionaires can afford wines such as Lafite Rothschild, perhaps it is time for readers to take a look at Duhart Milon, which sells for less than Lafite’s second wine. The Rothschilds have invested heavily in resurrecting this property to near super-star status, and the 2009 appears to be the finest Duhart I have ever tasted." Drink: 2017 - 2047.

JEB DUNNUCK: "Talk about value, the 2009 Duhart-Milon is straight up sensational stuff. Made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, it gives up classic notes of blackcurrants, pencil shavings, saddle leather and smoked herbs, it’s full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with fine tannin, impeccable balance and a great, great finish. It’s a heavenly bottle of wine that will compete with the best out there. Buy this wine!"

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Dark blackish crimson. Sweet nose with a hint of char. Broad and charming with everything in the right place. Already accessible."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is superb, with so much beautiful subtle fruit and wonderful flowers. Full and very lively, with super fine tannins and a lively finish. Very exciting. Best ever from here. Try in 2018."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Farbkern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feines Nougat, ein Hauch von Edelholz, Anklänge von Kardamom, reife Beeren und Kirschen sind unterlegt, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Stoffig, reife dunkle Fruchtnuancen, opulente Textur, runde, seidige Tannine, etwas Valrhonaschokolade im Abgang, mineralisch, bereits sehr zugänglich, ein großartiger, kraftvoller Speisenbegleiter, der reife Merlotanteil macht ihn natürlich zugänglicher. Bereits gut antrinkbar."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Elegant, refined, medium-bodied, fresh and energetic, this blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot is clean, fresh, pure and classic, with a sweet, bright, soft, bright red berry note in the finish."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Schönes Pflaumenbouquet, ein Hauch Dörrfrüchte,. Kakaobohnen und dunkle Ledernoten. Schöner Gaumen, schon fast erhaben mit viel Noblesse, Tabaknoten, Trüffel und Korinthen, im Finale Teer und Lakritze. Hier bahnt sich vielleicht einer der grössten Duhart´s der Geschichte an." Drink: 2016 - 2034.

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "92-94 Barrel sample. A rounded wine, its tannins submerged into the ripe fruits. It feels soft, and there is just a bite of alcohol. The structure is soft, generous, opulent."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This takes a fleshy, rather toasty approach, showing roasted plum and black currant fruit, with a smoked mesquite note on the loam-tinged finish. There´s more breadth than depth, but this has the latent minerality to last a long time in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2027."