| Region of Production: | Pauillac AOC |
| Winery Location: | Pauillac |
| Year Established: | 18th century |
| Classification: | Premier Grand Cru Classé, Médoc 1855 (since 1973) |
Vineyard Holdings
90 ha, principally split into two blocks: the Grand Plateau and the Carruades Plateau (adjacent to Lafite).
- 81% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 15% Merlot
- 3% Cabernet Franc
- 1% Petit Verdot
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Château Mouton-Rothschild
- Le Petit Mouton de Mouton-Rothschild (1993 (as Le Second Vin de Mouton-Rothschild, 1994 under the current name))
- Aile d’Argent: Bordeaux AOC white wine (1991)
Average Total Production
- 320,000 bottles (The grand vin usually represents 40-60% of production.)
Summary
As a marquee wine-producing property, the story of Château Mouton-Rothschild begins in the early 18th century, when Joseph de Brane acquired the property. (Previously, like Latour and Lafite, it had been part of the Ségur family’s holdings.) The new owner attached his name to the estate, and Château Brane-Mouton ascended in price and reputation by the end of the century. In 1830 a banker named Isaac Thuret bought the estate but failed to maintain its quality, resulting in a disappointing second-place finish behind Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Haut-Brion in 1855.
In 1853, on the eve of the classification, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild purchased Château Mouton. (15 years later, Nathaniel’s uncle bought Lafite.) The new reigning family built the estate’s château in 1870 and improved the vineyards and the wine. In 1922, the 20-year-old Baron Philippe de Rothschild assumed management of the estate, beginning a lifelong quest to raise its status. From 1924 on, Baron Philippe bottled the entire production at the château – an unheard – of practice at the time. For the 1924 vintage he also commissioned cubist artist Jean Carlu to design the label, an advance indication of the unique artist labels adorning every new vintage of the grand vin from 1945 forward. In the 1930s Baron Philippe created Mouton-Cadet as an early second wine to raise the quality of the first. In 1973 his efforts finally bore fruit as Mouton was elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé by decree of the minister of agriculture. He died in 1988, leaving his daughter Philippine to helm the château. With her death in 2014, her three children – Philippe, Camille, and Julien – jointly preside over the first growth and the family’s other Pauillac properties, Château d’Armailhac and Château Clerc-Milon. Philippe Dhalluim is the technical director for all three estates.
Mouton means “sheep,” an animal that appears on many of its labels, but the word here derives from the old motte, or mound. Like Lafite, it is named for its elevated position atop a 27-meter-high croupe.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Mouton-Rothschild characterizations usually flutter into the realm of the sensual; the wine is often described as fleshy, rich, opulent, and showy. Modern vintages tend to show more oak sweetness and up-front spice than the other first growths. For the grand vin, Cabernet Sauvignon usually exceeds 80% of the blend, with Merlot making up most of the remainder. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon composed 90% of the wine in both 2011 and 2012. Fermentation occurs in wooden vats and élevage in new oak lasts for around 18 months prior to fining and light filtration. Lots of expensive gadgetry in the winery (optical sorting, must concentration), and in the vineyards Mouton is making some progress toward organic and biodynamic cultivation.
The Mouton Cadet branded wines are not made at the château.
Producer Website: Château Mouton-Rothschild