Ch Mouton Rothschild is regarded as the most exuberant and powerful of all Bordeaux. Most of the vintages offer opulence, richness and depth, enriched by a remarkable aromatic complexity that ranges from blackcurrants to roasted coffee, mint and delicate leather.
The estate is amongst the most highly rated wines in the world. Outside the quality of its wines, the Chateau is also famous for its labels. Over the past decades, the label for each vintage has shown a unique artwork created by celebrated artists including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Salvator Dali, Francis Bacon and Andy Warhol to name a few.
Ch Mouton Rothschild's Story
Viticulture started in the early 18th century when Joseph de Brane purchased the property. When Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild purchased it in 1853, the estate had lost its fame and was originally entered as a 2nd growth in the 1855 Classification. The legend of Mouton really began in 1922 with Baron Philippe de Rothschild who devoted his life to forge the wine's identity and its international reputation. Following years of years of investment and care, the property was elevated to 1st growth status in 1973. Today, his grandchildren, Camille Sereys de Rothschild, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, run the estate together.
Vineyards & Winemaking
The 75 hectares of vines are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), with 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Located on the ‘Plateau de Mouton’, the roots push deep into gravelly soils adding complexity to the wine. Two reds are produced Ch Mouton Rothschild and Le Petit Mouton. The estate also produces a white wine, Aile d’Argent from their plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle.
For the making of their red wines, each parcel is vinified separately in vats of different size, and matured for around 20 months in the Médoc tradition (new casks topped up and clarified using egg whites).
2012 - The Growing season
2012 was a year of contrasts. After a cold winter followed a wet spring and a very dry summer which concentrated sugar and tannins in the grape. The best results were from the typically Cabernet-dominant appellations of the Medoc. Superb wines from the top vineyards were released and are just starting to reveal themselves.
The 2012 vintage label was created by Miquel Barcelo.
The Scores
This is a beautifully opulent wine, great Mouton in its richness and succulent fruits. It's combines structure and obvious new-wood aging with hugely ripe black plum and currant flavors. While it is a pleasure to taste now, there is a great tannic structure in the background to give the sense of power and aging potential. Drink from 2024. – 97 points Wine Enthusiast
Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2012 Mouton-Rothschild clearly has the upper hand over the 2011, if not quite at the level of the 2009, 2010 and what I envisage will be the 2015. There is obviously greater fruit intensity here, as if the contrast has been dialed up a couple of notches. It is quite showy on the nose, preening in its infancy with pure black cherries, graphite and hints of cold slate-like scents, later that hint of seaweed I observed when tasted blind a few months earlier. The palate is beautifully balanced with great vim and vigor. This is a Mouton that will not be put down - vivacious, vivid and delineated with wonderful focus and crucially, impressive persistence on the finish. Do not underestimate this Mouton-Rothschild, because I can see an upswing as it matures in bottle. Tasted April 2016. - 96 points Neil Martins, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Wonderful expression of 'patrician' black fruits, the expected exotic seduction of Mouton, a perfect blend of power and elegance. Real depth and individuality with lovely core to the fruit and length on the palate. A pure and beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from a top-class vineyard. - 96 points Decanter’s Bordeaux 2012: The top-rated wines tasted 10 years on.