Château Mouton Rothschild

Château Mouton Rothschild, a luminary in the heart of Pauillac, has ascended to the pantheon of the world's most legendary wine estates. As one of the prestigious First Growths of Bordeaux, Mouton Rothschild's relentless pursuit of quality and trailblazing spirit is not only showcased in the caliber of every vintage but also etched onto every bottle, becoming an integral part of the château's identity.

The château's visionary approach, masterminded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, transformed the industry with the introduction of estate bottling and the iconic artist label series. Each year, a celebrated artist creates an original design for the label, transforming every bottle into a treasured work of art. With its exceptional terroir of gravel-rich soils, Mouton Rothschild crafts wines of unrivaled depth and complexity, from the mythical 1945 vintage to contemporary masterpieces. As prized reflections of artistry inside and out, these extraordinary wines are some of the most highly sought-after collectibles in the world of fine wine.

Mouton-Rothschild: The Visionary Spirit behind the Art & Innovation

Château Mouton-Rothschild stands as a beacon of excellence and inspiration–-one of the most respected wine estates in the world. Famous for its groundbreaking promotion to First Growth status in 1973, the first and only of its kind, the château owes this and other remarkable achievements to the tireless, relentless dedication and visionary spirit of one individual: Baron Philippe de Rothschild.

Château Mouton-Rothschild: Pauillac Terroir & Tradition

Nestled in the heart of Bordeaux's infamous Pauillac appellation, Château Mouton Rothschild stands as a beacon of winemaking mastery. Renowned for producing some of the world's most prestigious wines, this historic estate has a legacy that spans centuries. Behind Moutons masterful wines stands a rich history, distinctive terroir, and the artistry of exceptional winemaking.

Mouton-Rothschild: The Tale Behind the Legendary Name

The Rothschild family's connection with wealth and success began in 1744 with the birth of Amschel Meyer, who established his fortune at "zum Roten Schild” which then became the family name, Rothschild. Fast forward to 1798, and Amschel's sons set out to create their fortunes. Nathaniel de Rothschild set his sights on Chateau Brane Mouton, giving rise to the Mouton legacy.

Chateau Brane Mouton, previously owned by Joseph de Brane, merged the names, signifying a small hill ("Mouton"). Despite facing a dip in the 1840s, the Rothschild family acquired and revitalized the property in 1853. However, during the 1855 Classification, Mouton Rothschild was designated a second growth, with Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Haut-Brion achieving Premier Cru Classé status.

This status just changed 118 years later, in 1973, after a long fight by Baron Philippe Rothschild. To celebrate this very important vintage and one of the most important achievements in the wine world, Chateau Mouton Rothschild had the brain, hands, and talent of Pablo Picasso to create one of the most special labels in Mouton history!

Mouton-Rothschild: Baron Philippe de Rothschild

In 1922, Baron Philippe de Rothschild assumed control, bringing transformative changes. At the young age of 20, Baron Philippe took the reins of the estate in 1922 and quickly demonstrated a keen ability to make pivotal decisions that would have a monumental impact on his family's legacy. In his first years, Baron Philippe implemented estate-bottling, a common practice today for top estates around the world, but one that was revolutionary at the time. The transformative decision wrested power back from the courtiers (Bordeaux middlemen) while allowing the château to ensure quality throughout the final production process. This shift in production required an expansive storage space to hold the sudden influx of bottles, thus in 1926, Baron Philippe commissioned the building of the Grand Chai (the Great Barrel Hall), which remains a beautiful & noteworthy addition to the historic property.

As a poet and innovator, Baron Philippe further intertwined the connection between art and winemaking with the introduction of a novel concept: an artist-designed label that changes every year. Starting with the 1945 vintage, renowned French artist Philippe Jullian created a special label commemorating the Allied victory in World War II. Château Mouton-Rothschild has continued this tradition for nearly 80 years, collaborating with a different distinguished artist each year to create original artwork for each vintage, transforming every bottle into a sought-after collector's item. The impressive roster of artists includes celebrated names such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Andy Warhol, among many others.

Baron Philippe also initiated château bottling in 1924, marking a departure from the norm and ensuring quality control. The creation of Mouton Cadet, an affordable branded wine, showcased the Baron's innovative approach. Post-World War II, Baron Philippe commissioned annual artist-designed labels and, in 1973, successfully campaigned for Mouton Rothschild's elevation to first growth status, a groundbreaking change to the 1855 order.

Mouton-Rothschild: Baroness Philippine de Rothschild

In 1988, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild succeeded her father, making significant contributions. She introduced white wine production in 1991, launched Aile d'Argent, and oversaw the renovation of Mouton Rothschild's winery. Her dedication to quality and innovation solidified Mouton's standing as a premier Bordeaux estate.

Her three children, Camille, Philippe and Julien, became co-owners in 2014 and continue to represent their mother’s dedication and devotion to the château.

Aside from their three Classified estates in Bordeaux, the Rothschild family company also produces wines in the Napa Valley with Opus One, in Limoux with Domaine de Baronarques, and in Chile, where the family formed a partnership with Concha y Toro in Chile to create Almaviva.

Mouton-Rothschild: Terroir and Vineyards

The vineyards of Château Mouton Rothschild cover approximately 90 hectares (222 acres) of prime Pauillac terroir. The soil, consisting of deep gravel mixed with clay, provides optimal drainage and imparts distinctive characteristics to the grapes. Some vines, planted over 130 years ago, contribute to the vineyard's exceptional style. The vineyards are predominantly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Intriguingly, Château Mouton Rothschild is situated adjacent to another renowned estate, Château Lafite Rothschild, both sharing the illustrious Pauillac terroir.

Mouton-Rothschild Wines: The Art of Winemaking

Château Mouton Rothschild produces up to 350,000 bottles of wine each vintage, including the second wine Le Petit Mouton. The Estate is celebrated not only for its exceptional terroir but also for the meticulous winemaking techniques employed. The precise blend of grape varieties, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, is carefully selected to create wines that are robust, complex, and age-worthy. The winemaking process involves fermentation in oak vats, followed by aging in new French oak barrels for an extended period, often reaching up to two years.

Mouton-Rothschild Label Art: An 80-Year Tradition

Not a bottle, a canvas, not a sip, a painting - One of the most distinctive features of Château Mouton Rothschild is its tradition of commissioning renowned artists to create unique label designs for each vintage. This tradition began in 1945 with a label designed by Philippe Jullian and has continued with contributions from artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Marc Chagall. The label art serves as a visual representation of the essence of each vintage, adding an extra layer of creativity and cultural significance to the Château's wines.

 Chateau Mouton Rothschild was one of the first 1855 Classified chateau to begin marketing in China and they used their label art to further their connection to the country of China. For the 2008 vintage, Chateau Mouton Rothschild chose Xu Le, the Chinese-born artist to design their label creating cultural significance.

Mouton-Rothschild Wines: Iconic Vintages

The wines produced by Château Mouton Rothschild are considered among the finest in the world. The grand vin, Château Mouton Rothschild, is a flagship Bordeaux blend known for its depth, complexity, and the ability to evolve gracefully over decades.

Mouton Rothschild 1945

The 1945 Mouton Rothschild is an iconic vintage, renowned for both its exceptional quality and historical significance. It inaugurated the château's tradition of commissioning annual artist-designed labels, with Philippe Jullian's commemorative "V" honoring the Allied victory in World War II. Despite a severe spring frost that decimated yields by 50%, the resulting wine was a masterpiece. With the vineyard smaller than present day, the 1945 vintage was crafted almost entirely from premium plateau fruit, producing a mere 6,500 cases. This scarcity, combined with its unparalleled quality and profound post-war symbolism, has elevated the 1945 Mouton Rothschild to legendary status.

"The full-bodied palate is rich, decadent and very densely layered, strutting exquisitely ripe, fine-grained, silt-like tannins. The overall character is paradoxical: at once profoundly mature and yet so jaw-droppingly youthful. If this finish does not bring a tear to your eyes, nothing will." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2019

"A consistent 100-point wine (only because my point scale stops at that number), the 1945 Mouton-Rothschild is truly one of the immortal wines of the century." - Robert M. Parker, Jr., December 1997

Mouton Rothschild 1982

Robert Parker famously wrote exuberant reviews extolling the spectacular 1982 Bordeaux vintage that led to his own meteoric rise in the wine world. Today, the 1982 vintage remains as one of the best expressions of Bordeaux, one of the legendary years in the history of the region. The growing season was characterized by ideal weather conditions, with a warm and dry summer that allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness and concentration. This resulted in wines of exceptional quality, with rich, powerful flavors and intense aromatic profiles. The wines from this vintage, especially those from top producers such as Mouton-Rothschild, are the finest representations of these extremely ageworthy wines.

Mouton Rothschild 1986

The 1986 vintage in Bordeaux was characterized by a hot and dry summer, leading to wines with great concentration and tannic structure. The label for Mouton Rothschild 1986 was designed by British painter Bernard Cohen, known for his abstract expressionist style. Cohen's design features a bold, colorful composition that captures the energy and vibrancy of the vintage.

Mouton Rothschild 1989

The 1989 Mouton-Rothschild features the provocative work of German artist Georg Baselitz, who added the phrase  “Drüben sein jetzt hier” (“Over there is now over here”) to celebrate the toppling of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. This label not only commemorates a pivotal moment in history, but also adorns a wine cherished for its outstanding quality.

The 1989 Vintage was an exceptional year in Bordeaux, producing wines with powerful, concentrated fruit and a generosity that has endured for decades. James Suckling awarded the 1989 Mouton-Rothschild an impressive 98 points, describing it as having notes of "freshly picked blackberries turn into minty dark chocolate and oozing caramel with domineering eucalyptus on the nose." Decanter's evocative tasting notes further capture the wine's allure, depicting it as "one to savour, it has the signature smoked, toasted glamour of Mouton, with cappuccino, crushed bilberry and blackberries, pliable tannins, and a drawn-out finish that gets better and better in the glass."

Mouton Rothschild 1990

The 1990 vintage in Bordeaux was another exceptional year, with ideal weather conditions leading to wines of great depth and complexity. The label for Mouton Rothschild 1990 was designed by French painter Francis Bacon, known for his raw, emotionally charged works. Bacon's design features a striking portrait that captures the intensity and power of the vintage.

Mouton Rothschild 1999

The 1999 vintage in Bordeaux was characterized by a warm and dry summer, leading to wines with ripe, generous fruit and supple tannins. The label for Mouton Rothschild 1999 was designed by British painter Raymond Savignac, known for his playful and whimsical style. Savignac's design features a charming illustration of a ram, a playful reference to the château's name.

Mouton Rothschild 2000

Famous for its eye-catching label-art, the "Augsburg Ram," also known as “The Golden Ram.” Unlike previous bottlings, this was the first to not have been commissioned but instead is a reproduction of a treasured piece from around 1590 by German goldsmith Jakob Schenauer. Today, the bottle remains one of the most iconic bottles in the world, highly sought-after by collections.

The 2000 vintage is also an incredible showcasing of classic Pauillac power and intensity. The warm, dry summer was followed by perfect harvest weather, resulting in grapes capable of extraction and tannic structure – ideal for crafting expressive, ageworthy wines. Demonstrating his characteristic prescience, Robert Parker doled out lavish praise for the vintage based on early tastings and the wines have since been released to receive worldwide admiration.

“The palate packs in the muscular fruit, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with phenomenal length. This is an incredibly complex and multifaceted wine, and it's drinking deliciously now” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Mouton-Rothschild 2001

The 2001 vintage in Bordeaux was marked by a mild spring and a warm, dry summer, resulting in wines with excellent concentration and balance. The label for Mouton Rothschild 2001 was designed by American artist Robert Wilson, known for his avant-garde theater productions and installations. Wilson's design features a minimalist, geometric composition that reflects the precision and elegance of the vintage.

Mouton-Rothschild 2010

The 2010 vintage in Bordeaux is widely regarded as one of the greatest in recent memory, with perfect weather conditions leading to wines of exceptional quality and aging potential. The label for Mouton Rothschild 2010 was designed by British sculptor Jeff Koons, known for his colorful and playful works. Koons' design features a vibrant, abstract composition that captures the energy and exuberance of the vintage.

Mouton-Rothschild: Investment Wine

Château Mouton-Rothschild's enduring appeal lies in its ability to harmoniously unite tradition and innovation, consistently producing wines that not only exemplify the essence of Pauillac but also push the boundaries of viticulture and winemaking. The estate's commitment to quality, rich history and visionary leadership ensure these wines are a cornerstone of any distinguished wine collection. Investing in a bottle of Mouton-Rothschild is not merely an acquisition; it is a chance to own a piece of history, a work of art, and a benchmark against which all other Bordeaux wines are measured.