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Rated 99/100 by Wine Advocate (top 2% of their reviews).
Researched by our team from producer and independent sources — not supplied by the seller.
A Pauillac First Growth from the Rothschild family estate, elevated to First Growth status in 1973, the only change made to the original 1855 Bordeaux classification.
Château Mouton Rothschild is a Pauillac estate whose wine was classified a Second Growth in the original 1855 Bordeaux classification, despite fetching prices on par with the First Growths even at the time. Baron Philippe de Rothschild spent nearly two decades
lobbying for reclassification, and in 1973 the French government under Agriculture Minister Jacques Chirac formally elevated Mouton to First Growth status, the only amendment ever made to the 1855 hierarchy (aside from the separate 1856 addition of Château Cantemerle).
The estate marked the occasion with a label bearing the motto "Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change" (First I am, second I was, Mouton does not change). Mouton is also known for commissioning a different contemporary artist to create original
artwork for its label nearly every vintage, a tradition that began in 1945 with artist Philippe Jullian's "V for Victory" design marking the end of the Second World War.
The wine itself is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend typical of Pauillac's gravel-soil terroir, built for long cellaring.
The Rothschild family's ownership of what became Château Mouton Rothschild dates to the mid-19th century, with Baron Philippe de Rothschild taking over management of the estate in the 1920s and driving much of its modern reputation, including pioneering estate-bottling in Bordeaux and the artist-label program he initiated in 1945.
His decades-long campaign to overturn Mouton's 1855 Second Growth ranking culminated in the 1973 reclassification to First Growth. The estate remains associated with the Rothschild family name and is one of the most recognized producers in Bordeaux, both for the wine and for the label art itself, which has featured commissioned works by numerous well-known artists over the decades.
Roast rack of venison
A classic Pauillac pairing: the wine's firm, gravel-soil tannin and cassis-cedar profile need the density and slight gaminess of venison to show balance rather than austerity.
Roasted duck breast with red wine jus
Duck's fat renders and coats the palate, softening the wine's structured tannin, while a reduction-based jus bridges the dish to the wine's own dark-fruit and savory notes.
Aged hard cheeses (Comté or aged cheddar)
Firm, nutty aged cheeses provide fat and salt without overwhelming aromatics, letting the wine's tannin resolve gently, a traditional way to finish a Bordeaux First Growth at the table.
Product information compiled from producer, importer and reference sources.
The wine is an intense garnet red with a purplish hue. Fresh, highly expressive and precise on the nose, it reveals blackberry, black cherry and liquorice aromas with a slightly mineral cast. It is smooth and opulent on the palate, with an attractive sweetness, enfolding patrician, rounded and powerful tannins.
Beautifully rich overall, it culminates in a stylish, succulent and very harmonious finish.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2019
The year started with a warmer- and drier-than-usual winter, with the temperature reaching a record 24.7* C on 27 February. The mild weather triggered an early start to the vine cycle, which gradually slowed with the arrival of a cooler spring and lower-than-average temperatures.
As a result, flowering finally took place around the normal time. After sharply contrasting condions in June, when a late cold spell and heavy rainfall were followed by an early heatwave, very fine weather prevailed in July. The summer was particularly sunny and hot, leaving the vines in good condition on the eve of the harvest.
A few welcome showers in July and August greatly helped to dispel any fears of dehydration. Picking started with the white varieties on September, in a quick harvest which yielded remarkable Semillon grapes in particular. All the Aile d'Argent vines had been harvested by 11 September.
Picking of the red varieties at Chateau Mouton Rothschild took place between 18 September and 5 October. Although a few drops of rain fell during the harvest, the conditions remained generally very good, guaranteeing high-quality grapes. Mirroring nature's generosity in 2019, the wines are very rich, deeply coloured and with good alcohol content. Close-knit, satin-smooth tannins make this a very promising vintage.
** Vintage may change — please confirm with our team.
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