Château Mouton Rothschild 2016

An exceptional Pauillac wine of density and aromatic brilliance

The property

It was in 1853 that 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. Each 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... a fascinating collection that grows each year with a new work and constitutes the famous exhibition "Art and the Label". Emblem of the Pauillac appellation, this Premier Cru Classé makes the great wines of Bordeaux shine throughout 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 vineyard of 82 hectares located northwest of Bordeaux, in the Médoc. The vines, averaging 50 years old, are planted on pebbly gravel soils that capture heat and release it during the night, thus promoting the maturation 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

For the 2016 vintage label, Château Mouton Rothschild chose South African artist William Kentridge, known for his "political art" blending humor and poetry. Born in 1955 in Johannesburg, Kentridge is famous for his animated charcoal drawings, videos, and committed works. Inspired by history and the great masters, he created for this vintage The Triumphs of Bacchus, a procession of bacchic silhouettes evoking Titian and Matisse. This work perfectly illustrates the duality of wine: a refined pleasure rooted in a rich cultural tradition, like the exceptional Château Mouton Rothschild 2016.

The vintage

A very wet winter and spring were followed by an extremely dry summer and autumn. While the intense summer heat caused water stress resulting in small and concentrated berries, these conditions also favored slow and high-quality maturities. The harvest began on September 26 with the merlots and ended on October 14. With its density and aromatic richness, this 2016 vintage can thus be compared to the greatest vintages of the 21st century.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon (83%)
Merlot (15%)
Cabernet franc (1%)
Petit verdot (1%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Mouton Rothschild 2016

Tasting

Color
The color is a beautiful cherry red, dark and intense.

Nose
Delicate and aromatic, the nose reveals fragrances of ripe black fruits (blueberries, blackcurrants) and floral notes. Upon aeration, peppery and spicy notes appear, complemented by elegant hints of graphite and blond tobacco.

Palate
Ample and generous, the palate seduces with its silky and enveloping tannins. Aromas of black fruits combine with notes of cocoa and biscuits. On the finish, the wine is round and reveals a delicious aromatic persistence.