Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Grand Cru Classé

Vintage 2006

A.O.C. Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Mouton Rothschild has been under the Barons de Rothschild ownership for over 100 years, and it was the unremitting efforts of the flamboyant Baron Philippe de Rothschild that resulted in the Mouton’s historical upgrade to premier Grand Cru status in 1973 – the only change ever made to the Bordeaux classification of 1855.

Prior to the original classification, Mouton’s wine labels declared, Premier ne puis, Second ne daigne, Mouton suis (‘First I cannot be, Second I do not deign to be, I am Mouton’). After the upgrade, the motto was changed to Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change (‘First I am, second I was, Mouton does not change’). Unashamedly gregarious and glamorous Mouton is not your typical first growth.

———

“This has a beautifully defined, crystalline bouquet with blackberry, plum and a touch of violets; beguiling lift from the glass, its fingers caressing the senses and luring you back into the glass. There is tangible mineralite here, a Pauillac that exudes breeding. The palate is very smooth and harmonious, perfect balance, a more feminine wine but there is undoubtedly still a great deal of power and cohesion. Lingers beautifully on the finish. Divine.” eRobertParker.com (2010)

———

Code: 101175

Optimum Drinking Period: 2020-2060

Robert Parker: 98+

Wine Spectator: 94

Stephen Tanzer: 96