2006 CHÂTEAU DUHART MILON ROTHSCHILD 4ème Cru Classé Pauillac

Very closed on the nose at first, but opens up to reveal lovely ripe black cherry and iodine scents. Tight and very focused. The palate is dense, with firm, tightly wound tannins and good acidity. Blackberries, black truffle and a ferrous note. Lacks some flair on the finish: this is a masculine, conservative Duhart that will show better when paired with food.   89-91/100

Deep, bright ruby-red. Ripe aromas of black cherry, cassis, violet and dark chocolate. Ripe, dense and silky-smooth, with a sweet chocolatey note in the mouth. Fleshier than the Carruades and riper on the back end, with the tannins more successfully buffered by fruit.   89-91/100

Very dark ruby purple pretty much right out to the rim. Excellent colour depth. Quite tarry nose - some briariness even, which is unusual in 2006. Not desperately expressive on the nose though very nice constitution on the palate. Freshness without too much inkiness - brisk like a scrub. Slightly angular finish but pretty complete up to then. 2015-25   17+

Deep colour, fine blackcurrant fruit, lovely middle palate showing great purity with typical Duhart grip, firm but ripe, fine classic northern Pauillac.   ****

Really well done, with lots of licorice and fruity character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long flavorful finish. Close to 92-94.   89-91/100

The Duhart ’06 has a very fine, well-defined, typically masculine nose with blackberry, espresso, boysenberry and a touch of cold tea. The palate is medium-bodied but expanding in the mouth, ripe black toasty fruit woven around firm tannins, foursquare with a slight bitterness on the tarry finish. This needs 8-10 years to mellow, but a little doughty at the moment.   89/100

Not surprisingly, this estate's owner, the Rothschild family (who also owns Lafite-Rothschild), has been making significant investments in Duhart's winemaking facilities and vineyards. These investments helped create a blockbuster 2003 and 2005 as well as an outstanding 2006. Eliminating 50% of the crop produced a 1986-ish blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot exhibiting notes of creme de cassis, pain grille, black cherries, and undertones of loamy earth, herbs, and spice. Copious richness and up-front fruit (the latter a characteristic of the vintage) along with good freshness and liveliness suggest this Pauillac will be at its finest between 2012-2025.   91-93/100

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