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Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac

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‘A classic Mouton-Rothschild...not a million miles away from say, the 1986 or 2010.’
Neal Martin


Mouton’s unique promotion to First Growth status is infamous but equally no less impressive. The ambition of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who almost singlehandedly enacted this change, is worthy of credit. However, be under no illusions, the terroir is impeccable. The end result all too often is within reach of perfection. Ebullient violets, a litany of delicate blue and purple fruits abound on the nose. One cannot help but smile, and salivate, in Pavlovian anticipation of its delights before the liquid has even reached your lips. A score of 19 from Jancis secures this wines credentials and earmarks it as worthy inclusion to any cellar. A Mouton for the ages. Serious wine worthy of serious attention.

In recent years Le Petit Mouton has gone from strength to strength. The 2015 is the best iteration of this wine ever. This much is evident in Neal Martin’s almost puzzled query, ‘is this really a second wine?’. Deep and dark in colour a similar depth is evident in its complexity and charm. A real winner, to not procure some of this would be a mistake!

Aile d’Argent is, as ever, an extremely attractive proposition. The small proportion of Muscadelle in the blend adds another dimension of intrigue and elegance. Rounded texture, keen freshness and endless fresh fruited flavours. This will reward and delight all those who drink it. 

Mouton


Château Mouton Rothschild 2015, 1er Cru Classé, Pauillac
£4,260 Per 12 Bottles En Primeur

This represents a relatively high percentage of Merlot simply because, as winemaker Philippe Dhalluin told me, that quality was so good. I afforded my sample four to five minutes to open as it was a little reduced at first, but eventually it reveals a gorgeous, extraordinarily intense bouquet of blackberry, cassis, incense and cold slate aromas. In some ways it reminds me of Latour as much as Mouton Rothschild. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannin, perfectly pitched acidity, wonderful tension and impressive length. There is a strong graphite theme running through from start to finish that is little grainy and so it will require preferably a decade in cellar. But what freshness and panache here, a classic Mouton-Rothschild that will live for 50 or 60 years, not a million miles away from say, the 1986 or 2010. Expect this to settle at the top of my banded score once in bottle.
Drink 2027 – 2060
97-99/100, Neal Martin

Mouton Rothschild's 2015 is a wine built on finesse rather than power alone. Raspberry jam, spice, rose petal, pomegranate and blood orange make a very positive first impression. The 2015 is rich and intense on the palate, but never heavy. In 2015, harvest stretched from September 14 to October 2, a few days longer than normal. The blend, which was put together just before this tasting in late January 2016, is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
95-97/100, Antonio Galloni

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Petit

Le Petit Mouton 2015, Pauilla
£1,140 Per 12 Bottles En Primeur

It has a very intense bouquet for this deuxième vin, a far cry from the rustic wines produced in the 1990s. It is almost opaque, a wall of blackberry, cassis and tobacco aromas, perhaps the most powerful that I have ever tasted under this label. Over ten minutes, I noticed it become more sensual and rounded. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, like the aromatics, incredibly powerful and assertive. Wonderful delineation here, very mineral-driven with a bravura of a finish. It begged the question...is this really a second wine? Maybe they should rename it "Le Grand Mouton"? It is amazing to think how humdrum vintages of this were in the 1990s. This is a completely different wine to those.
Drink 2020 – 2040
91-93/100, Neal Martin

The 2015 Le Petit Mouton opens with striking, expressive aromatics. Graphite, smoke, charcoal and blackberry jam are fused together in a deep, beautifully layered Pauillac. The 2015 is impressive from start to finish. This is an especially strong Petit Mouton endowed with real class.
90-93/100, Antonio Galloni

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Aile


Aile d’Argent 2015, Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac
£260 Per 12 Bottles En Primeur

has an attractive bouquet of lime cordial, pink grapefruit and apricot that gently unfolds in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a keen thread of acidity that runs through waxy-textured fresh pear, grapefruit and lime notes. There is just a touch of malolactic fermentation here (actually around 7% of the total according to winemaker Philippe Dhalluin) that just lends cohesion and smoothness to the finish. With a dash of lemongrass loitering on the aftertaste, this is a very fine Aile d'Argent that should age well over the course of a decade, possibly more.
Drink 2019 – 2032
90-93/100, Neal Martin

The 2015 Aile d'Argent, Mouton Rothschild's dry white, is 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 43% Sémillon, 2% Muscadelle, is laced with attractive scents of white flowers, lemon and grapefruit. The fruit was brought in between September 2 and 9 which helps keep the flavors fresh, while a dollop of Muscadelle and a small amount of malolactic fermentation gives the Aile d’Argent its characteristic sweetness.
89-91/100, Antonio Galloni

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