2015 DUHART MILON / 都夏美隆

Composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot and aged for 14 months in barrels, 50% new, the 2015 Duhart-Milon has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an open, expressive nose of warm red currants, black raspberries and spice cake with nuances of cedar chest, bay leaves and tobacco plus a waft of rose hips. Medium-bodied, vibrant and refreshing in the mouth, it has a good amount of chewy tannins and layers of lively red and black fruits, finishing on an earthy note. 2019 - 2029

The 2015 Duhart-Milon has an intense bouquet of blackberry, undergrowth, mint and pencil shaving scents that soar from the glass, demonstrating much more conviction than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and well-judged acidity, and quite natural and classic in style, though it misses a little depth toward the finish, which attenuates prematurely. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

The smoke, almond, dark-berry and plum character is impressive to this young Duhart. Full body, round and silky tannins and beautiful fruit and spice undertones. Plenty of coffee and cedar flavors at the end. A pretty Duhart. Needs four or five years bottle age.

The 2015 Duhart-Milon comes across as much tighter and more reticent than it did from barrel, but some, or, perhaps, all, of that might be attributable the post-bottling shock. Time in the glass brings out the wine's plentiful sensual charms, with hints of crushed flowers, tobacco, mint, leather and smoke that add nuance throughout. The 2015 opens up nicely with air, which leads me to believe that all the 2015 needs is time in bottle. 2020 - 2030

Tasted blind. Solid, dense, thick wine with real intensity of both fruit and tannin but not an amazing amount of lift. Earthbound. A little chunky. Should last! Some slightly awkward acidity.