Pauillac

2020

1st Growth

84% Cabernet Sauvignon 
13% Merlot
2% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot

Region: Bordeaux

ESTATE HISTORY

In 1718, Château Mouton and Château Salon-Segur were acquired by Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur, who already owned Château Lafite and Château Latour. With the death of Nicolas-Alexandre Ségur in 1755, his estate was divided among four daughters.
The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 was based entirely on recent market prices for a vineyard's wines, with one exception: Château Mouton Rothschild. Despite the market prices for their vineyard's wines equalling that of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild was excluded from First Great Growth status, an act that Baron Philippe de Rothschild referred to as "the monstrous injustice". It is believed that the exception was made because the vineyard had recently been purchased by an Englishman and was no longer in French ownership.
In 1973, Mouton was elevated to "first growth" status after decades of intense lobbying by its powerful and influential owner, the only change in the original 1855 classification (excepting the 1856 addition of Château Cantermerle. This prompted a change of motto: previously, the motto of the wine was Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis.("First, I cannot be. Second, I do not deign to be. Mouton I am."), and it was changed to Premier je suis, Second je fus, Mouton ne change. ("First, I am. Second, I used to be. Mouton does not change.")

TERROIR

Château Mouton Rothschild has 222 acres (90 ha) of grape vines on the slopes leading down to the Gironde Estuary. 
Deep gravelly soil - Clay & limestone base.

VITICULTURE

Average age of vines is about 44 years.
Sustainable farming.

WINEMAKING

Manual harvest. Fermentation in oak vats (they are one of the last châteaux in the Médoc to use them) and then matured in new oak casks. 

TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS

100 points James Suckling
"This is a great and impressive Mouton with plushness and precision. A million layers of tannins. It’s full and very friendly, even seductive, in a rich and opulent way, yet it always remains fresh. Balanced and refined. Nothing sticks out here. Every so fine-grained tannins provide flesh. Looking forward to seeing its evolution.." 

100 points Robert Parker
"The 2020 Mouton Rothschild is a striking wine and one that I regretted not purchasing en primeur as soon as it landed in my glass. Offering up complex aromas of minty cassis, pencil shavings, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, espresso roast and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and layered, with terrific concentrated, beautifully refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Checking in at 12.8% alcohol, its incipient complexity, ineffable sense of completeness and exquisite balance mark it out as the purists' choice among the trio of 2018, 2019 and 2020. In this vintage, the lots that made it into the blend were largely confined to the core gravel terroirs that represent Mouton's heart, meaning that there's a little less to go around. This was the first vintage overseen by Mouton's new technical director, Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy, and he has begun with a flying start. Best after 2030." 

99 points Jeb Dunnuck
"Dense purple-hued and a monster of a wine, the 2020 Château Mouton Rothschild checks in as 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all of which hit 13.1% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.78. Classic Mouton notes of cassis and currant fruits give way to a more mineral-driven red offering loads of scorched earth, graphite, liquid violets, and crushed stone aromas and flavors. Gorgeously concentrated, full-bodied, and structured, with a firm tannic, inward style that relents with time in the glass, this is a serious Mouton that's going to need a decade of cellaring yet should be just about immortal. " 

98 points Decanter
"The tannins are carefully wrapped up and finessed, slowly but surely building in power and width, with concentrated blue and black fruits through the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant on the attack, with a deft, savoury and not overly exuberant delivery of flavour. As the slate and saline side builds up, you also feel a slowing down and a tugging back of the tannins. As the wine relaxes in the glass, it becomes more and more signature Mouton, full of exuberance, finesse and pleasure. There is less sweet black cherry fruit than in a year like 2018 or 2019, more on the cassis and bilberry side, it will behave in a more classical manner in the decades to come. 100% new oak. Harvest September 7 to 24. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Could go to 100 points after ageing. "

Château Mouton Rothschild is best paired with classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Also great with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms, and pasta.

Illustration of the label
Peter Doig (1959 -)

*Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact us.