Château Mouton Rothschild 2003

The finesse and precision of a Premier Cru Classé from Pauillac

The property

In 1853, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired Château Brane-Mouton at auction. The property, located in the heart of the Médoc, in Pauillac, was then renamed Château Mouton Rothschild. In 1922, Baron Philippe de Rothschild took over the reins of the property. A visionary, he decided in 1924 to initiate the complete bottling at the château while entrusting the illustration of the wine label to an artist. Every year since 1945, the label of Château Mouton Rothschild is adorned with the original work of a great contemporary artist. Dalí, César, Miró, Chagall, Warhol, Soulages, Bacon, Balthus, Tàpies, Koons, Doig... an exciting collection that grows each year with a new work and constitutes the famous exhibition "Art and Label". Emblem of the Pauillac appellation, this Premier Cru Classé makes the great wines of Bordeaux shine around the world. Today, the three children of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Camille and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild preside over the destiny of Château Mouton Rothschild.

The vineyard

Château Mouton Rothschild is a Pauillac wine from a 82-hectare vineyard located northwest of Bordeaux, in the Médoc. The vines, with an average age of 50 years, are planted on pebbly gravel soils that capture heat and release it during the night, thus promoting the ripening of the grapes. These draining soils rest on a clay-gravel subsoil, giving the wines of Château Mouton Rothschild a unique power, elegance and tannic structure.

The label

The 2003 vintage celebrates the 150th anniversary of Mouton's entry into the Rothschild family heritage, passed down through five generations in direct line. To mark this event, Mouton Rothschild breaks with tradition by dedicating the label to Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, who acquired this grand cru on May 11, 1853. The baron is represented by a period photograph, while the background of the label partially reproduces the purchase deed of the estate, carefully preserved in the property's archives. This work pays tribute to an uninterrupted love story between the Rothschild family and the great wines of Bordeaux.

The vintage

A cold and dry winter precedes a month of March whose exceptional mildness promotes the early budding of the vineyard. Dry conditions stretch from April to June. If the rainfall recorded in July is ideal for vegetative development, the month of August is marked by a strong heatwave which, thanks to deep roots and sufficient water supply, impacts the vineyard in a limited way. In September, the warm and dry climatology ensures a slow and progressive maturation of the berries.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon (76%)
Merlot (14%)
Cabernet Franc (8%)
Petit Verdot (2%)

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Mouton Rothschild 2003

Tasting

Color
Of beautiful intensity, the color is adorned with garnet reflections.

Nose
Typical of cabernet, the nose exudes with great finesse aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, caramel and ripe fruits.

Palate
On the palate, the attack is frank. The palate is rich in race and velvety tannins. The fruit mixes with spices, Havana and eucalyptus. The finish of this Pauillac wine is very expressive, long, powerful, harmonious and silky.