Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2019

The vineyards of Château Mouton Rothschild are located northwest of Bordeaux, on the edge of the Medoc. The vines are planted on a narrow strip of land 80 km long and 5 to 10 km wide, close to the river, which moderates temperature differences. Bordering the northern border of the Landes forest, the Medoc benefits from the mildness of the maritime climate while being protected. In 1855, the best 61 wines from the Haut-Médoc were qualified as ‘Grand Cru Classé’, again subdivided into the 1st to the 5th Cru. The selection was based on the prices paid for the wines since about 1750. The 1st cru include Château Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Haut-Brion. In 1973, Château Mouton was added to these four.

Pauillac is located on the Gironde, northwest of the city of Bordeaux. Pauillac (1,200 ha) is one of the best wine regions in the Haut-Médoc and is located below Saint-Estèphe. The village has 3 Premier Grands Cru Classé’s: Château Latour, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild. A total of 18 Grand Cru Classés from Pauillac account for 80% of the vineyard area in this commune. The top layer of this wine region consists of pebble, with a subsoil of clay and limestone.

ROBERT PARKER (98)

The blend this year is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, harvested from the 18th of September to the 5th of October. Opaque purple-black colored, the 2019 Mouton Rothschild simply shines, even at this very nascent stage, beaming from the glass with bright, vibrant scents of crème de cassis, blueberry preserves, boysenberries and black raspberries plus fragrant suggestions of lilacs, dark chocolate, sandalwood, jasmine tea and woodsmoke with a spicy waft of star anise. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with energy, featuring tightly wound layers of black fruits, exotic spices and mineral notions, framed by exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with epic length and perfume. This year’s profound expression is without doubt a legend in the making. (For number crunchers, the alcohol is 13.5% this year, slightly lower than 2018, which came in at 13.8%.)

JAMES SUCKLING (99)

This shows purity of fruit with blackcurrants and cassis and hints of blueberries and fresh flowers. Toasted and roasted. The 90% of cabernet sauvignon really makes this special. Lead-pencil, tar and licorice notes. Powerful with finesse. Extremely persistent.