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Mouton Rothschild

The Winery

Château Mouton Rothschild

"Premier Je suis, Second Je fus, Mouton ne change. (First I am, second I was, but Mouton does not change)"
- Baron Phillipe de Rothschild

This was the Baron’s response to Mouton being denied First Growth Bordeaux status initially, and then promoted to the desired classification in 1973. Baron Phillipe de Rothschild is the father of many great French wine estates, including Mouton, Lafite la Muete, Rieussec and L’Evangile, to name a few. Mouton hails from Pauillac in the Medoc region, and is known to be among the elitist wines of the world along with Lafite, d’Yquem and DRC.

A bottle of Mouton is a piece of history, because even the most recent vintages boast a heritage that battled drought, disease, frost, and the Second World War. Rothschild survived, though he lost his wife at the time in 1945 (Elizabeth de Rothschild), who did not survive a concentration camp. Anyone can appreciate the history here, and it’s impossible to ignore the artwork that adorns it. Each vintage, an artist is commissioned to create a new, special label for the wines of Mouton. Some of the names most recognizable include Warhol, Picasso, Chagall, Kandinsky, Dali and even Prince Charles of Wales. To praise the wines would be redundant- stylistically flashy, vibrant, intense mineral and tobacco flavors and opulent. Mouton IS luxury.

www.chateau-mouton-rothschild.com

1986
Out of Stock
1.5L
WA100
D100
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Tasting Notes

WA100
The 1986 Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that was picked from 2 October until 16 October. Winemaker Philippe Dhalluin, who was not working at the property back then, told me that the pH was fairly low at 3.54 when it is usually around 3.75, due to the natural tartaric acid in the vines. It has a powerful and intense bouquet as always: exemplary graphite and cedar scents, a touch of black pepper and incense. It seems to unfurl in the glass, like a motor revving its engine. The palate is beautifully balanced with its trademark firm tannic structure, a Mouton-Rothschild with backbone and masculinity. Layers of black fruit intermingling with mint and graphite, a hint of licorice emanating from the Merlot, gently fanning out and my God, it is incredibly long. It is not like the 1985 Mouton-Rothschild that is so fleshy and generous. This is serious, aristocratic Mouton, a true vin de garde and yes, I do think drinkers will have to wait until it reaches its true peak. Sometimes that`s just the way it is. Tasted September 2016.

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