Duhart Milon Rothschild 2018 (1.5L)

95-96 JS / 94-96 JD / 95 DE / 93-95 WA / 90-93 WS

This is a very powerful Duhart with blackcurrant and blackberry character. Lots of graphite and black tea. Full-bodied and muscular with lots of formed muscles and great length. Could be best ever? - James Suckling

Readers looking for an estate on the uptick need to check out the 2018 Château Gloria, which is up with the finest vintages I’ve tasted from this Saint-Julien estate. Deeply colored with terrific cassis and blackberry fruits as well as ample leafy herbs and sappy flower notes, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, has polished, elegant tannins, and a great finish. It’s a juicy, fruit-forward effort with good concentration and lots of class. Drink it over the coming 25 years or more. The blend is currently 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, from a selection of 65% of the total production, that’s currently resting in 40% new French oak. - Jeb Dunnuck

A wine that is often austere during En Primeur but is here showing its seductive side with a generous texture lending a wonderful richness through the palate giving it the feel of a 2009, although clearly loaded with tannins, but of a softer style than 2010 or 2016.

It has a juiciness rippling with bramble fruit on the attack, then the herb, slate and liquorice root come in through the mid-palate adding complexity and gravitas. Harvest took place between 17 September and 4 October. 73IPT. - Jane Anson, Decanter

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! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

Generous in feel, with a light herb note darting amid the rich plum and cassis fruit flavors. Displays the weighty fruit of the vintage, with a background of warm earth and tar details on the finish. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator