2005 - Duhart-Milon, Pauillac

This property, which has benefitted enormously from tremendous investments from the Rothschild family that owns Lafite, has turned out a dense purple-colored wine in 2005. Offering broad, expansive, supple and silky tannin as well as loads of Asian plum sauce, blackcurrants, and sweet cherries, this wine is seductive, medium to full-bodied, and luscious. This successful effort from the Rothschilds should continue to drink well for at least another two decades.

The 2005 Duhart-Milon is a bit of a beast. Displays quite a dense, unforgiving pencil lead and tobacco-scented nose, and the fruit seems to take a back seat at the moment. The palate is well-balanced but undeniably brawny and rough-hewn, the kind of Pauillac you wouldn't want to meet down a dark alley at midnight. This is a bit hard going at the moment. This was an ex-château bottle served at Maison François in London.

Toasty biscuits on the nose. Very round and seductive on the front palate. Ready now and quite lively. (JR)