An impressive showing for Duhart-Milon, especially given the vines were quite young at this point, this has held up remarkably. Iodine and an umami nose full of sea salt, cherries and a graphite edge to the aromatics alongside soft floral notes and a dusting of cocoa powder. Actually smells quite young and vibrant - very Pauillac. The wine was poured from magnum which no doubt helped preserve some of the more fresh and energetic aromatics. Firm, filling and lively on the palate - tannins are still quite imposing, perfectly supporting the sweet red fruit, baked cherries and strawberries with gorgeous acidity and a salty, spiced liquorice undercurrent. Structured with polish and refinement. Quite a gourmet take, the mouthwatering nature makes you want food with it, but this keeps power and focus until the long end. Brilliant.

This blockbuster was a sleeper of the vintage long before the Rothschilds invested so heavily in modernizing this estate as well as began making a stricter selection. Close to full maturity the 1982 Duhart Milon exhibits classic notes of creme de cassis cedar and flowers medium to full body a high level of glycerin and a lusciousness and fleshiness that are very much in keeping with the vintage. There is a slight amount of pink at the rim but this beauty should keep for another ten years. Release price:

Tasted at Pebbles/Zachy’s 1982 dinner in Hong Kong. This is a delightful Duhart-Milon. It has a vivacious, mineral-rich bouquet with cedar, pencil shavings and antique bureau aromas. It is like inhaling the scent of a stately home as you walk through it on a Sunday afternoon. The palate is encased by fine tannins that translate the quality of the terroir. There is more leafiness than I recall on previous bottles but it retains superb focus and has the ideal dryness on the finish to encourage you to take another sip. There is good backbone and solidity to this Duhart-Milon and it should drink well over the next decade.