Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2020 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Philippine de Rothschild left her children a property in top form, in the hands of an irreproachable technical team. Originally called Brane-Mouton, the estate became Mouton-Rothschild in 1853, when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired it. His great-grandson Philippe took over in 1922 and began selling bottled wines. Mouton's privileged terroir and very old vines, magnified in recent vintages thanks to the favors of the climate and the help of a magnificent winery introduced in 2013, produce perhaps the most formally perfect wine in the Médoc. But that won't stop it from closing as a great vintage before reaching a climax that is predicted to be glorious. The second wine, petit-mouton, resembles the first like a little brother, and the white, aile-d'argent, is gradually becoming one of the Médoc's most complete.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Acquired by the Rothschild family in 1853, Ch. Mouton Rothschild is strongly linked to the personality of Baron Philippe. After taking over the estate in 1922, Baron Philippe restored the estate to its former glory by modernizing it (notably through the construction of the famous "grand chai"), a process which culminated in 1973 with the revision of the 1855 classification and Mouton's elevation to the rank of 1ercru classé. Baron Philippe also made the estate the foundation of a small empire that included other vineyards and a trading house. He also played an important role in the history of wine, being one of the first to bottle at the château, as early as 1926, and having his labels illustrated by artists. From 1988 onwards, his daughter Philippine, who died in 2014, continued his work. She was succeeded by her children, Camille and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild. Philippe Dhalluin has been the director since 2003. His 84-hectare vineyard is located mainly on a deep gravelly hillside known as the "Plateau de Mouton", and a brand-new vat room was completed in 2013.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Mouton Rothschild 2020 is a striking wine that I regretted not buying en primeur as soon as it landed in my glass. It offers complex aromas of minty cassis, pencil shavings, loamy earth, cigar wrapper, espresso roast and violets. It's medium- to full-bodied, broad and layered, with terrific concentration, beautifully refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish. At 12.8% alcohol, its emerging complexity, ineffable sense of fullness and exquisite balance make it the purist's choice among the trio of 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages. In this vintage, the lots that went into the blend were largely restricted to the Graves terroirs that represent the heart of Mouton, meaning there's a little less for everyone. This was the first vintage overseen by Mouton's new technical director, Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy, and it got off to a flying start. 2030-2070

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Mouton 2020 confirms, without a shadow of a doubt, that it's ready for en primeur tastings. This finely-tuned wine imposes its power, but also its brilliance and refinement. It unfurls waves of fresh fruit on the palate, carried by the slightly minty freshness of its tannins.

About the domain :

Philippe Sereys de Rothschild has presided over this iconic family estate in Pauillac since 2014. The wine, always flamboyant, naturally exhaling generous smoky notes, is more in place than ever. If Mouton went through a slump in the mid-1990s, it was brilliantly revived in the early 2000s. Since then, a series of grandiose vintages has followed, continuing to write the legend of the only Cru Classé from 1855 to be promoted: from second to first in 1973. Philippe Dhalluin, the driving force behind the cru's revival, has handed over the reins to a solid duo comprising Ariane Khaida (general manager) and Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy (technical director). Mouton, equipped with a new winery since 2013, is evolving at the top. Note the progress made by the white, clearer and more precise than ever.

James Suckling

About the wine:

The purity of blackcurrants, blueberries, crème de cassis and flowers. Subtle spearmint notes. Iron. Blood orange. Medium-bodied, with a compact mouthfeel, like a cylinder of perfectly ripe fruit and fine tannins. A million layers of tightly grained tannins. It goes on and on. Such freshness and weightlessness. Ethereal. New classicism. A modern version of the 1986. 12.79% alcohol. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink after 2030, but hard not to drink now.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A serious, exhilarating nose, with dark colors and notes of black licorice. Simply grandiose. On the palate, a gradual explosion of pure, ripe, silky fruit. The aristocratic palate has a captivating bitterness that gives complexity to this premier cru. This is what distinguishes it from its (excellent) little brother and reminds us why it remains king. A saline, mouth-watering aftertaste. A wine to fall over with pleasure. 2032-2062

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fresh, elegant and delicate, offering power (in subtlety), richness (in delicacy/finesse), a discreet content, complexity and a lovely broad aromatic palette. Notes of bursting blackcurrant, bursting redcurrant and, more lightly, juicy/acidic blueberry are combined with hints of fleshy strawberry gariguette, as well as delicate hints of lily, green cardamom, discreet hints of fresh blond tobacco and subtle hints of colas. Fruity on the palate, with juiciness, freshness, lovely definition, gourmandise, a tangy frame, suavity, a little pulpiness, harmonious, a silky square, frame/structure, lovely sapidity, minerality and a lovely airy character and subtlety. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright redcurrant, pulpy/juicy cherry and, more slightly, tart/juicy plum, combined with hints of fresh/juicy blackberry, fresh flowers, racy minerality, discreet hints of spice, cola, cherry blossom, fresh gravel, cardamom and discreet hints of nutmeg. The tannins are fine, elegant, delicate and precise. Delicate chewiness and a very discreet hint of bourbon vanilla on the finish/persistence.