Chateau Duhart Milon, Pauillac 2011

"The 76-hectare vineyard of Chateau Duhart Milon is planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. This makes Chateau Duhart Milon one of the few 1855 Classified Growths with only 2 grape varieties planted in their vineyards. 

The Duhart Milon vineyards are located in the north of Pauillac, on the western side of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, on the Milon hillside, which is not far from the Carruades plateau. This places the vineyard quite close to Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Clerc Milon. However, here you find a slightly cooler terroir, due to its northern exposure. That is one of the reasons why you find more Merlot planted here.

The naturally cooler soils provide more freshness to the wine and allow for later picking. The terroir of Chateau Duhart Milon is a combination of gravel, sand, and limestone soils, for the most part, located in 1 single, large block of vines.

Vinification takes place in 40 temperature-controlled, stainless vats of various sizes, allowing for parcel by parcel vinification. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. Chateau Duhart Milon is then aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months, depending on the vintage. There is no actual chateau, the wines are made in a cellar located in the village of Pauillac. The Rothschild family purchased the property in 1962."

- The Wine Cellar Insider.