2022 Ch Duhart-Milon 4ème Cru, Pauillac

Such beautiful blackberry, chocolate and hazelnut character here. It's medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a succulent finish. All here for the second wine. 87% merlot and 13% cabernet sauvignon.

93-94 points James Suckling

The 2022 Duhart-Milon unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cedar box, loamy soil, herbs and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and velvety palate with a broad attack that segues into a lively, nicely concentrated core of fruit, concluding with a youthfully firm finish.

91-93 points William Kelley for The Wine Advocate

 (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot) The pattern I tasted on Lifite was no comparison to the more oxidative pattern available on Lynch-Bages. The wine shows a super finely scented nose, lots of black currant, cinnamon, herbs, floral notes, fascinating. Soft on the palate, almost harmless, delicate fruit, fine-meshed tannins, the wine has balance and a very good length. Very well done and with a lot of precision. 

93-95 points Adrian van Velsen vvwine

Made from 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot, the 2022 Duhart-Milon is deep garnet-purple in color. It rocks up with ready-to-impress notes of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, and menthol, followed by hints of cinnamon stick, rose oil, and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of lively black berry and minty flavors, framed by grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and lifted.

“The vintage was hardest for the Cabernet Sauvignon on the deep gravel,” said Eric Kohler from Château Lafite. “We had to make a first harvest of the dehydrated berries and those of struggling vines, which was about 10% of the total production of Lafite. This did not go into the grand vin. We also did this in 2016. We can call this the suffering selection. When we did this in 2016, the wine was undrinkable. This year, it was actually pretty good. We used a little in the Carruades. This is what we picked at the end of August. Then we picked young vines on the 1st and 2nd of September. The great Merlot we began to pick on the 5th of September. This year we were so careful not to pick the Merlot too late. We began the Cabernet Sauvignon for Lafite on the 13th of September and finished on the 23rd of September. This year, the highest alcohol came from the Cabernet Sauvignon, usually it is the Merlot.”

90-92 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown 

As for winemaking practices, apart from extra-gentle extraction, Eric commented, “We used a lot of press wine. The maximum we ever used. 15% for Duhart Milon, 16% for Carruades, 17.5% press juice for Lafite—it’s a record.”

Intense, stately, with ripe and spicy dark brambled fruit flavours, blackberry and cassis, balanced by grippy tannins, crushed rocks, slate and cigar, which add texture and moderation. The serious face of Duhart does well in the vintage, keeping an upright tannic backbone. New cellar at Duhart since 2020. Harvest August 31 to September 28, 3.8ph. Olivier Bonnau technical director. Duhart Milon vineyard is looking at lowering density of planting to guard against future hot vintages of this type.

94 points Jane Anson

The Grand Vin 2022 Château Duhart-Milon is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. It brings more richness as well as classic Pauillac character in its lead pencil, graphite, tobacco, and red and black fruit-driven aromatics. With gorgeous richness, a medium to full bodied mouthfeel, and a great finish, this utterly classic, seamless, balanced Pauillac should be snatched up by readers. It's going to give the 2009 a run for its money.

94-96+ points Jeb Dunnuck

Neighbouring the vineyards of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart Milon has long been one of Pauillac's most respected Fourth Growth estates. Under the stewardship of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, the château has reached new heights, producing Cabernet Sauvignon led wines that combine precision, refinement and the unmistakable character of this celebrated Left Bank appellation.

The vineyards are planted on Pauillac's famed gravel soils with pockets of limestone and clay, providing ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon to flourish alongside Merlot. The exceptional 2022 vintage delivered fruit of remarkable concentration, freshness and balance, resulting in a wine of impressive depth, elegance and outstanding ageing potential.

The colour is a deep garnet with youthful purple highlights. Aromas of cassis, blackberry and black cherry are complemented by cedar, graphite, cigar box and violet. The palate is beautifully structured, carrying concentrated black fruits through finely polished tannins and vibrant acidity. Layers of dark chocolate, liquorice and crushed stone unfold across a long, seamless finish that reflects the class and pedigree of this outstanding Fourth Growth.

A magnificent companion to dry aged rib eye, roast lamb, venison loin or beef Wellington with truffle. Although already captivating with a generous decant, this distinguished Pauillac will continue to evolve gracefully through the 2040s.