Château Mouton Rothschild - Buy online
Château Mouton Rothschild - Buy online

Château Mouton Rothschild

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Château Mouton Rothschild reigns over the gravel plateau in the north of Pauillac, a stone's throw from its neighbor Lafite. Classified as a Second Growth in 1855, it is the only estate to have obtained a revision of that classification, attaining the rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1973. Its vineyard of approximately 84 hectares is planted to more than four-fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. From this comes a dense and fragrant wine, in which ripe blackcurrant mingles with cedar, pencil lead and spices, and which is distinguished each year by a label signed by an artist, a tradition opened with the 1945 vintage.

The estate has produced some of the most sought-after reds of the past century, from the legendary 1945, 1959 and the 1961 vintage to the triumphant 1982 and 1996. This lineage extends to more recent years, such as the 2011 vintage, which offers access to the style of the cru at a more approachable stage of its evolution.

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Château Mouton Rothschild, our article

Château Mouton Rothschild, our article
1st Classified Growth of the Médoc

1st Classified Growth of the Médoc
Pauillac Appellation

Pauillac Appellation
The best-rated wines of Bordeaux

The best-rated wines of Bordeaux
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Vintage Guide - SoDivin

Vintage Guide

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History and identity of Château Mouton Rothschild

The modern adventure of the estate begins in 1853, when Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired a Pauillac cru then called Brane-Mouton and gave it his name. Two years later, the 1855 classification ranked it among the Second Growths, a verdict the family would contest for over a century; its motto of that era sums up this wounded pride: "Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis." The turning point came in 1922, when Baron Philippe de Rothschild, aged twenty, took the reins of the estate. From 1924, he had the entire harvest bottled at the château — a revolution at a time when grand crus were still sold in barrels to the trade — and entrusted that vintage's label to a poster artist. After five decades of efforts, the exception was made in 1973: Mouton became the only cru promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé since 1855, and its motto was rewritten as "Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change." Upon the death of Baron Philippe in 1988, his daughter Baroness Philippine continued his work until 2014; her descendants lead the estate today.

Terroir and viticultural environment

The vineyard of Château Mouton Rothschild extends over approximately 90 hectares in the northern part of the Pauillac appellation, on the edge of the Médoc peninsula. It rests on deep gravel ridges composed of pebbles and gravels, with a marly-limestone subsoil. These poor, perfectly draining soils are particularly well suited to vine cultivation and promote slow, regular ripening of the grapes.

The proximity of the Gironde estuary plays an essential regulatory role, moderating climatic extremes and ensuring great qualitative consistency from one vintage to the next. The positioning of the vines on gently rolling slopes optimizes sun exposure and contributes to the natural balance of the wines produced.

Production philosophy and style of the wines of Mouton Rothschild

The grape variety composition of Château Mouton Rothschild is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Work in the vineyard is based on a rigorous plot-by-plot approach, with controlled yields and constant attention paid to the optimal ripeness of the grapes. Vinifications are conducted with precision, followed by aging in new oak barrels that supports the structure of the wine without altering its expression.

The wines of Château Mouton Rothschild are distinguished by their density, their controlled power and their aromatic richness. They generally offer a broad tannic framework, deep aromas of black fruits, spices and elegantly integrated woody notes, as well as a balance that allows them to evolve harmoniously over time.

Visual signature and cultural identity

Since 1945, Château Mouton Rothschild has also distinguished itself through its labels illustrated with original works by contemporary artists. This approach, initiated by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, contributes to the cultural identity of the estate without ever substituting itself for the qualitative demands of the wine. It reflects a singular vision in which artistic creation and viticultural tradition coexist durably.

Mouton Rothschild among the First Growths of Pauillac 

Pauillac is the only appellation in the Médoc to bring together three First Growths, which naturally invites comparison. Its immediate neighbor to the north, Château Lafite Rothschild, cultivates an intricate, floral and restrained style, while Mouton embraces a richer and more expressive character. At the southern tip of the commune, Château Latour presents a stern power and an exceptional aging potential, often more austere in its youth. Among the other classified growths in the area, Château Pichon Longueville Baron extends this Cabernet-dominated vein in a somewhat more approachable register. Placing Mouton within this neighborhood illuminates its personality: that of a first growth that has never sought discretion, and which contributes, in its flamboyant way, to the worldwide renown of Pauillac.

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