1997 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 12x75cl

Chateau Mouton Rothschild: The Newest First Growth

While Lafite is famed for its reserve, poise and sophistication, Mouton Rothschild is a Bordeaux First Growth of opulence, decadence and luxury. The newest addition to the First Growth rank, courtesy of its promotion in 1973, Chateau Mouton Rothschild is a Pauillac of immense character.

The Grand Vin is the star of the show and, thanks to the tight selection of only the best fruit, is made up of just 40% of the overall production of the estate. The second wine, Petit Mouton, is always a charming wine that gives a fantastic window into the house style. Also worth seeking out is the rare white wine, l”aile d’Argent, which comes from just 5ha and is excellent value.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild: Fireworks and Flamboyance

Mouton Rothschild has a terroir perfect for the Cabernet Sauvignon that makes up the vast majority of the blend. Here, deep gravel and old vines – some up to an incredible 120 years – mean incredible quality of fruit. They combine to make Mouton one of the greatest wines on the planet.

The style here is one of exuberance and lush opulence all framed by Pauillac’s famous structure that allows for great ageing potential. Classic signatures of Mouton are soaring aromatics of rich dark fruit, cassis and cigar box on the nose. This is followed by a cashmere mouthfeel and huge length.

The Iconic Artist Labels

Uniquely and famously, Chateau Mouton Rothschild’s label changes with each new vintage. Every year a globally renowned artist is commissioned to design a label that reflects the year and the wine.

The list of contributing artists reads like a who’s who of the latter part of the 20th century. It includes Salvador Dali in 1958, Henry Moore in 1964, Pablo Picasso in 1973 and Andy Warhol in 1975. Francis Bacon in 1990, Lucien Freud in 2006 and David Hockey in 2014. The 1993 artwork by Balthus gained some notoriety.  Complaints from a concerned group in America led to the nude figure on the labels being removed from stocks destined for the USA. Instead, just a blank background used instead.