History
Château Duhart-Milon's history dates back to just before the French Revolution. The name "Milon" refers to a hamlet in Pauillac, while "Duhart" was an owner family. Written records of the estate exist from the early 19th century, with trader Guillaume Lawton reporting on a property called Mandavy-Milon. After the owner's death, the winery was divided, with shares going to winemaker Duroc and Pierre Castéja, who eventually acquired Duroc's shares and additional land from Duhart's widow.
Oral tradition suggests that Sieur Duhart was once a pirate in King Louis XIV's service. The house, known as the "pirate's house," served as the inspiration for the label design and was eventually torn down in the 1950s. In 1855, Château Duhart-Milon was classified as a Fourth Growth during the Paris World Exhibition. The estate remained in the Castéja family until 1937, when it was sold due to inheritance disputes. It changed hands five times before being acquired by the Lafite Rothschild family in 1962, who restored the vineyards and expanded the estate to 76 hectares by 2001.
Terroir
Château Duhart-Milon is situated in the north of the Pauillac appellation, an area known for its unique terroir. The vineyard covers 76 hectares, primarily located on the western side of Château Lafite Rothschild, on the Milon hillside. The soil composition is predominantly gravel with variable levels of pebbles, sand, and clay, containing more than 10% clay content. This gravelly soil is well-drained, which is crucial for grape ripening in the maritime climate of the Médoc region.
The terroir of Duhart-Milon is characterized by its sandy gravel soils, deposited in the Quaternary period. These soils have been shaped by the Gironde estuary, influencing the layers of crumpled limestone and water-splashed notched cliffs. The vineyard's location near marshes and woods adds to its distinct terroir, contributing to the complexity and character of the wines produced here. The combination of these factors makes Duhart-Milon's terroir particularly suited for growing Cabernet Sauvignon (67%) and Merlot (33%), which are the primary grape varieties used in the wine production.
