Duhart Milon 2009 is a truly stunning wine, it offers incredible value against other leading estates, a sentiment reiterated by Robert Parker: ‘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.’ In 2009 Duhart Milon is exceptional, producing a wine that has to be considered alongside the very best of the vintage, receiving 97 points from Robert Parker who stated: ’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!’
Duhart Milon 2009 was released En Primeur at £800 a case and collectors were immediately rewarded with the price rising to over £1,300 by May 2011. The pull-back in the market and in particular of Lafite has meant a 12x75cl case of Duhart Milon can now be purchased for £600. It also has one of the lowest Price Over Points scores (POP) of any 2009 wine, with a POP score of 35, Lafite Rothschild 2009, which scored 99+ points, trades today at £6,300, ten times the POP Score and only 2.5 points higher. Moreover, Duhart Milon is cited at the western boundary of Lafite Rothschild on the Milon hillside, very close to the Carruades plateau. As such it shares similar terroir, combining gravel, sand and limestone: it is easy to understand the Rothschild’s eagerness to purchase its neighbouring Estate, harder to understand why Lafite Rothschild 2009 is ten time the price.
Duhart Milon Rothschild is a Fourth Growth in its own right, bought by the Rothschilds in 1962, who renamed it Duhart Milon Rothschild hence the similarity of the labels. As soon as they made the acquisition they painstakingly rebuilt the Estate investing heavily into it, clearing all unhealthy vines and replanting them, as such the vines today have an average age of 30 years.
Duhart Milon Rothschild 2009 offers two persuasive points, it competes with the First and top Second Growths in the greatest vintage Bordeaux has ever produced and it can be bought nearly 54% below its peak and 25% below its compelling release price. We have sourced a small parcel of full cases, which are not to be missed for cellaring and enjoying over the next 20 to 30 years: It displays supreme ripeness of tannin and succulent black fruits, with a penetrating nose of liquorice, lead, pencil shavings, toast, brioche and cigar box; that is a lot of wine for £50 a bottle.
- Scoring 97 points places it on par with Ch. Palmer (£2,000) and Ch. La Fleur Petrus 2009 (£1,600)
- Released at £800 three years ago and trading as high as £1,300, it is now cheaper than its converted en primeur release price
- Duhart Milon Rothschild 2000 scored 90 points and is more expensive at £730 per full case
- Critics agree on its quality scoring, 97 from Parker, 95 from James Suckling and 17.5 from Jancis Robinson
- Parker re-marked the wine to 97 points in March 2013, up from his initial 94-96 points
Duhart Milon Rothschild 2009 – 12×75 – £600 IB or £749.52 incl duty and VAT
Robert Parker – 97 Points
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
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