2018 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac

Winemaker Notes:The richesse of a gourmand and balanced Pauillac

A vintage marked by major climatic contrasts for the Bordeaux region, 2018 is already in line with the great vintages of prestigious Pauillac Grand Cru Classe, Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

The first half of 2018 was subject to heavy rainfall, combined with hailstorms. A mild and humid spring required all the efforts of the talented Chateau Mouton Rothschild technical teams, who fought to maintain the vineyard in perfect sanitary conditions. The sun then came out in the month of July, shining bright up to the date of the harvest, and allowing for perfectly ripened fruit. Beginning on September 10 for the red grape varieties, the harvest ended on October 3, promising the best early on. Despite yields that were lower than usual, the fruit showed an exceptional richness in sugars and very beautiful tannins.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (86%), Merlot (12%) and Cabernet Franc (2%), the Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2018 embodies the excellence of a Pauillac Grand Cru Classe.

At the tasting, the Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2018 reveals an intense, deep black color. Intensely aromatic, the nose opens with notes of ripe fruit, evolving spicy notes of nutmeg. Fresh menthol aromas punctuate the bouquet. The wine weaves a gorgeous palate from the onset, revealing great scale and aromatic richness, especially delicious notes of black fruits and spices. With its beautiful structure, creamy texture and velvety, mouth-coating tannins, the wine provides a feeling of indulgence. The end of the palate is marked by a great finesse, stretching into a long finish. A magnificent vintage of Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


James Suckling - "Exquisite purity of blackcurrants, raspberries and some citrus. The aromas flow from the glass. Full-bodied with seamless tannins that coat the palate and then fall into the center, to deliver a thoroughly refined and harmonious young red. Endless finish. 86% cabernet sauvignon. This is the new 1959, one of the legendary vintages of Mouton. Try after 2026."


Decanter - "This has so much tannic power, with density, layers and structure along with layers of blackberry, liquorice, baked earth, cigar box and the signature exotic spices of Mouton. A big, textured and complex wine that is taking it all in its stride. 100% new oak. There is the tiniest touch of Petit Verdot in the blend, but under 1%, so it’s not in the official figures. 62% of production went into the grand vin. Drinking Window 2028 - 2050"


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2018 Mouton Rothschild is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc—there is also a splash of all the Petit Verdot they had, but it doesn’t even register in the percentage. Grapes were harvested September 10 to October 3, and the wine was blended at the beginning of December; it has 13.8% alcohol, and the tannins were slightly higher this year. Deep purple-black in color, it is a little closed to begin compared to some 2018s, slowly unfurling to reveal a profound nose of warm black plums, blackcurrant cordial, star anise, blueberry pie and mocha with suggestions of candied violets, oolong tea, camphor and unsmoked cigars plus a touch of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers waves of opulent, spiced black and blue fruits with seamless acid lifting this gorgeous mouthfeel that is at once plush from the ripe fruit and firm and grainy from the super ripe tannins, finishing very long and wonderfully creamy. Barrel Sample: 97-99+"


Wine Enthusiast - "This wine is ripe and juicy, packed with black fruits and generous tannins that sit on a velvety texture. It is dense, concentrated and intensely structured in bold tannins, but still the purity of the dark shines through. Barrel Sample:97-99"


Wine Spectator - "This large-scaled wine is brimming with cassis and distilled plum fruit that’s remarkably pure, focused and driven in feel, supported by a seamless, iron-clad and remarkably polished structure, doing its job without detracting from the fruit. Add in sparkles of savory, racy floral and sanguine accents, as well as some pretty ridiculous length, and you have another battleship of a wine in the making. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2050."


Jeb Dunnuck - "Coming from a selection of 76% of the total production, the 2018 Château Mouton Rothschild checks in as 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up all in new French oak. This dense purple-hued effort has a backward, primordial bouquet of pure crème de cassis, scorched earth, burning embers, and graphite. There are hints of classic Pauillac tobacco and lead pencil, but it's locked and loaded at this point. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and flawlessly balanced on the palate, it has lots of tannin's, a good spine of acidity, and a great finish. It doesn't have the sexy opulence of the 2015 and 2016 yet has more minerality, and I suspect it's every bit as concentrated. A solid decade of bottle age is going to be warranted, and this powerful, concentrated Mouton is going to evolve for longer than most of us reading this will be alive. Rating : 97+"


Vinous - "The 2018 Mouton-Rothschild needed 2–3 hours before I began composing a single word. Eventually it unfolds with the same aromatics that I observed out of barrel: extraordinarily pure blackberry, blueberry, pressed violet petals and potpourri. It still has the alluring Margaux-like florality. The palate is medium-bodied with filigreed tannins, disarmingly satin-like texture and wonderful cohesion. This is a sophisticated Mouton-Rothschild that is maybe less ostentatious than other recent vintages, but well aware of its class and breeding; it knows that there is no need to show off. The precision on the finish is riveting. Assessing it over many hours to plot its evolution, I wager that this First Growth may well drink earlier than I anticipated, so give it 5–6 years in bottle. Chapeau to retired winemaker Philippe Dhalluin and his team. Drinking window: 2026 - 2060"