2000 Chateau Duhart-Milon - Pauillac 4ème Grand Cru Classé - 1 Flasche (0,75 l)

Château Duhart-Milon, previously known as Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, is a wine estate based in the Pauillac appellation of the Médoc, just north of Bordeaux city. The estate was ranked as a fourth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is owned by its illustrious neighbor, Lafite Rothschild, and shares its vineyard management and winemaking teams. The grand vin (the eponymous, flagship wine) is known for its elegance, combined with Paulliac's typical power.
The winery buildings are based in central Pauillac town while the single 76-hectare (190-acre) vineyard block is situated just to the west of the Lafite Rothschild vineyard in northern Pauillac. The vineyards lie around the hamlet of Milon and facing Lafon-Rochet to the north in Saint-Estèphe.
The soils are a mix of fine gravel and sand on limestone, and are planted two-thirds to Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third to Merlot. This makeup is regularly reflected in the final wine although the precise proportion of the grand vin blend can vary with each vintage – for example, the 2012 features 53 percent Merlot.
"Deep ruby-red with a purple/red rim. The nose combines lifted red-fruits with an over ripe volatility & perhaps a little slatiness or graphite. The cassis fruit on the palate is fresh, becoming more cedary by the finish, but the lively fruit prevents the oak botes taking over. The finish has good grip and nice length. Alcohol is balanced. The wine is a little unbalanced at first but resolves itself nicely by the finish."
Vintage quality: Legendary
The 2000 Bordeaux vintage was brilliant.
The winter was mild but a warm, wet spring created a fleeting problem with mildew. However, from July onwards, a spectacular summer dominated with hardly any rain until mid-September when the heavens opened, although it was likely welcome in some areas. Sunny weather then returned for the October harvest only broken by a single day of rain, a boon to parched vines. The producers who picked early risked unripe wines and others who picked later risked jammyness. However, for the majority who picked at the right time, the vintage offered some fantastic rewards.