Château Duhart-Milon : Moulin de Duhart 2021

Plenty of floral oak; terse.

Softly fragrant red berries – raspberries and rose petals with fresh strawberries too. Round and lively in the mouth, softly grippy and chalky around the edges with a tang and bite too – bright and fresh acidities give a sense of leanness while the herbal and fragranced fruit profile adds texture and weight. Juicy and nicely balanced, not a showstopper, on the delicate side in terms of texture but still with red berry fruit and a menthol freshness on the finish. A lovely lick of salty stones to end the taste. Not the most persistent.

There's juicy character with plums, chocolate, walnuts and berries. Medium-bodied and delicious with a fresh acidity and length. 64% merlot and 36% cabernet sauvignon. Better in a year or two.

64% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Fruity, fresh and round but light in weight and substance. Definitely for the short haul. (JL)

The 2021 Moulin de Duhart retains that strawberry-scented bouquet, perhaps a little more linear than when I encountered it from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with strict tannins, quite piquant in style with a touch of sour cherry and a tang of seaweed toward the finish. Drink this over the next four to five years.

Leafy herbs, tobacco leaf and red currants are found on the nose as well as on the soft, medium-bodied palate. The finish is on the savory, herbal, olive and leafy side. Forward and already easy to enjoy, you can drink this on release. Drink from 2023-2029. 87-89

Deep ruby red with purple reflections on the narrow rim. Delicate herbal savouriness, red wild berries, cranberries and cherries, smoky juniper nuances. Medium-bodied, somewhat loosely knit, gentle fruit sweetness, discreet tannins, fresh, already accessible, medium length with a touch of nougat on the finish.

The 2021 Moulin De Duhart is up-front and juicy, with a pretty, red-fruited, spicy, classy style that does well in the vintage. It's medium-bodied, has nicely integrated acidity, and fine tannins.

Clear white pepper spicy notes, edges of cloves and bilberry fruits, lift through the palate and it feels they have worked the depth through the palate well over ageing, giving slate, crayon, even a touch of black chocolate. Has settled in and this is a one-point upscore. 1st year of organic conversion, harvest September 22 through to October, 30 hl/ha yields. 2nd year of the new cellar, 50% new oak.

A blend of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Moulin de Duhart has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with notes of ripe cranberries and Bing cherries, leading to wafts of dried herbs, underbrush, and graphite. The medium-bodied palate has a lively backbone and elegant styling, with nervy red berry and herbal flavors, finishing with a pleasant chewiness.

A beautiful summery nose of flowers and flower pollen, sapid and fresh. On the palate, the wine is incredibly clean and fresh, harmonious, with superb body and balance. It is ample, dense, velvety, while remaining featherlight.

The nose is elegant, delicate, and offers subtle richness. It reveals notes of crushed blackberry, toasted/chocolate nuances, and, more lightly, crushed strawberry, combined with fine hints of crushed red berries as well as delicate touches of violet, graphite, and crushed vanilla/almond. The palate is fresh, mineral, and balanced, offering good definition, a certain juiciness, freshness, minerality, and a fine silkiness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fresh/ripe blackberry, crushed raspberry, and, more lightly, juicy/fresh strawberry, joined by touches of lily, violet, racy minerality, graphite, as well as fine hints of chocolate, toasted hazelnut, a subtle touch of camphor, and bourbon vanilla. Good length.

Dark, intense colour. Slightly restrained nose, fruity and subtle. A hint of caramel. The palate offers far more aroma than body, developing into something smooth and delicious. Medium length.

This wine is fragrant with woodland black fruits, its freshness emphasized by the high proportion of juicy Merlot in the blend. On the palate, the wine is rich while also open. Its spice is balanced with the black-currant fruits. Taste from 2027.

Notes of minty berries, cassis, sweet soil tones and iris introduce the 2021 Moulin de Duhart, a medium-bodied, ample and polished wine that's supple, seamless and charming. As I wrote last year, it's a well-made bottling that will drink well young.