The 1996 Château Duhart-Milon is a Bordeaux wine from the Pauillac appellation, classified as a Fourth Growth (Quatrième Cru) in the 1855 Classification. Pauillac is renowned for its powerful and structured wines, and Château Duhart-Milon, owned by the Rothschild family (the same family behind Château Lafite Rothschild), benefits from the prestigious terroir of this renowned region. The 1996 vintage is regarded as one of the strong years in Bordeaux, with wines offering excellent structure, complexity, and aging potential.
Tasting Notes:
- Grape Composition: The wine is typically a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and smaller portions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon provides power and structure, while the Merlot adds fruitiness and softness.
- Color: The 1996 Duhart-Milon is likely to have a deep, dark ruby color, still vibrant with a slightly garnet tinge at the rim due to its age.
- Aroma: The bouquet of this wine should be quite expressive, with ripe black fruit such as blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum, along with secondary notes of tobacco, leather, cedar, and graphite. Over time, the wine will have developed more earthy, savory aromas, with hints of forest floor, dried herbs, and subtle spices. There is likely to be a touch of smokiness or cigar box from its time in oak, typical of Pauillac wines.
- Palate: On the palate, the 1996 Duhart-Milon should be medium to full-bodied, with firm tannins that have softened and integrated over time, creating a smooth, velvety texture. The wine is likely to have rich, dark fruit flavors such as blackcurrant and plum, combined with earthy, savory notes like tobacco, leather, and a mineral edge. There may be hints of spice and a touch of cedar. The wine should have good acidity, providing freshness and balance, with a long, structured finish that lingers with notes of dark fruit, tobacco, and earth.
- Aging Potential: The 1996 vintage is still relatively young compared to some of its Bordeaux counterparts and has the potential to age for another decade or more. However, it is now reaching an excellent stage of maturity and is drinking beautifully.
Food Pairing:
The 1996 Duhart-Milon, with its structure and complexity, pairs well with rich, savory dishes such as roast lamb, grilled steak, or braised beef. It would also complement hearty dishes like duck breast, wild game, and mushroom-based dishes. Aged cheeses, such as Comté, Gruyère, or a well-aged cheddar, would also pair nicely.
The 1996 Château Duhart-Milon is an elegant, powerful Pauillac that has aged well, offering a mature and refined drinking experience while retaining its signature structure and depth. It’s a great example of the quality that Pauillac wines can offer with time.
Specifications
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Sub-Region | Pauillac |
| Classification | 4th Growth Medoc |
| Vintage | 1996 |
| Grape | Cabernet / Merlot |
| Volume | 750ml |
| ABV | 14% |
| Food Pairing | Beef, Venison |
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