Tuesday 16 April 2013

TN : Chateau Moulin de Duhart 2008, Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), Pauillac, Bordeaux, France




The origin of the name "Moulin de Duhart" comes from the former presence of a windmill on the Carruades, next to the Duhart-Milon vineyard. The Rothschild family acquired Château Duhart-Milon, a "Quatrièmes Cru" in the 1855 classification, from the Castejas of Pauillac in 1962. The property was named after the Sieur of Duhart, gun-runner to Louis XIV, who originally owned the property, and from the name of the little hamlet of Milon which separates the Duhart-Milon vineyard from that of Château Lafite. Moulin de Duhart, Château Duhart-Milon’s second wine, is selected from vats of the "Grand Vin". The vineyard covers 50 hectares and is planted with the classical cépages of Médoc: Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Cabernet Franc (20%), Merlot (20%) and a small amount of "Petit Verdot".





The growing season came after a severe winter and spring frosts. Flowering  was not very productive, constant humidity favoured disease and the summer was moderately warm. Fortunately, September was fine and so it was possible to wait for the grapes to fully ripen, with late harvests. The harvests took place from the 1st to the 8th of October 2008 for the Merlot and from the 8th to the 15th of October 2008 for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Pumping-over and the maceration time were adapted according to each vat, the origin of the plot and the level of maturity of the tannins. Alcoholic fermentation took place in cement and stainless steel vats with temperature control. Maceration lasted 15-20 days, and malolactic fermentation was carried out in cement and stainless steel vats. The wine was then aged for ten months in barrel and ten months in stainless steel vats. This wine is a blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 57% Merlot. The harvest yield was 47 hectolitres per hectare. 156,000 bottles were produced. The total acidity is 3.25 grammes per litre.


Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Cedar, toasty oak, raspberry, blackcurrant, plums, fruity, milk chocolate

Taste : Cedar, raspberry, blackcurrant, plums, milk chocolate

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 295 SEK (The Wine Company)

Mark : C

Website : Moulin de Duhart
Website : The Wine Company

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