2008 Pauillac, Château Mouton-Rothschild
About Producer
Initially known as Brane-Mouton, this estate became Mouton-Rothschild in 1853 when it was acquired by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild. His great-grandson Philippe took charge in 1922 and started the château bottling. Baron Philippe asked poster artist Jean Carlu to design a one-off label for the 1924 Mouton, and starting from 1945, he commissioned a contemporary artist to design every vintage label. It’s under Baron Philippe’s aegis that Mouton was elevated to Premier Cru Classé in 1973.
Varietals
Blend of 83% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot.
About Appellation
Largest town in the Médoc and slighly more elevated than its surrounding area, Pauillac has always played an important role in the wine trade, notably when the city of Bordeaux lost its privilege and monopoly of wine exports to England in the 18th century. The vineyards cover 1,213ha and sit on well-drained sand and gravelly soils, with the best sites being located on rolling mounds, called 'croupes', that reach their highest point at 30m above sea level. Cabernet sauvignon is the predominant grape variety, albeit always blended with merlot, and to a lesser extent, with cabernet franc and petit verdot. Pauillac is home to 18 grands crus classés in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, including Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton-Rothschild (since 1973) as first growths.
Tasting Notes
Captivating nose of dark berries, cedar, tobacco, graphite, lavender and crushed flowers, intense mouthfeel with cashmere-like texture, ample volume and remarkable depth, multilayered flavours of blackberry, blueberry, red currant, plum, dark chocolate, roasted almond and hints of liquorice liberally laced with sapid mineral undertones, well-embedded acidity and powdery tannins carrying through a long, saline finish. Though not in the league of the 2009 and 2010, this is a splendid wine on its own merits. Brimming with graceful poise, stylish structure and understated complexity, it has started to come round beautifully to become one of the stars of the vintage. Having somewhat toned down the ebullient power of its youthful years, it has an amazing sense of energy and a succulent freshness on the palate that add an aerial lift to the lingering aftertaste. Indeed a sensational wine to sip while waiting for its more glorious siblings to mature. (03/2024)