Moulin de Duhart

Presentation
Château Duhart-Milon’s second wine is selected from vats of the "Grand Vin". In general, the grapes are from the youngest part of the vineyard. Moulin de Duhart has several characteristics similar to the fine wine, but with a lesser potential for ageing as its ageing in barrels is much shorter. It must be consumed younger than its more robust counterpart. The origin of the name comes from the former presence of a windmill on the Carruades, next to the Duhart-Milon vineyard.

The vintage
The beginning of the winter was mild and dry, and it was only at the end of January that beneficial colder temperatures arrived, accompanied by rain. Bud break began in early April as usual, and the vines then grew quickly, as they had ample reserves of water and the weather was mild. In June, flowering was early and uniform, which is always a promising sign.
The influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde estuary helped to reduce the effect of a somewhat hot summer with high temperatures. Water stress was high, but rain in August brought the freshness required for the grapes to change colour and then to ripen perfectly. Conditions were ideal during the harvests, enabling us to obtain optimal ripeness for each plot.

Harvests: Merlot, 17 to 23 September; Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 September to 6 October.

Varietals
Merlot : 62%
Cabernet sauvignon : 38%

Tasting
Tasted at bottling April 2017
Good, deep colour.
The nose already reveals beautiful notes of fresh fruit and tobacco.
The attack is fairly supple and delicate, but the wine then develops plenty of volume and is beginning to show good length.
Refined tannins present a pleasant sweetness.