Château Mouton Rothschild 2009 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Ultra-elegant, with a rich bouquet and a dreamy texture, without any loss of complexity resulting from the aging process, this wine captures the essence of Cabernet Sauvignon.

About the estate:

Philippine de Rothschild left her children an estate in excellent condition, managed by an impeccable technical team. Originally known as Brane-Mouton, the estate became Mouton-Rothschild in 1853, when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired it. His great-grandson Philippe took over in 1922 and began bottling the wine. Mouton’s exceptional terroir and its very old vines—enhanced in recent vintages by favorable weather and a magnificent winery established in 2013—produce perhaps the most formally perfect wine in the Médoc. This will not prevent it from closing in on itself in great vintages before reaching a peak that is predicted to be glorious. The second wine, Petit Mouton, resembles the grand vin like a younger brother, and the white, Aile d’Argent, is gradually becoming one of the most complete wines in the Médoc.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A sign of the times, Philippine de Rothschild chose a gouache by the British artist of Indian origin Anish Kapoor to illustrate this vintage, whose color is a black almost as deep as the artist’s canvas. A hue that speaks volumes about the wine’s potential. Concentrated and complex, the bouquet follows suit, displaying a broad palette dominated by black fruits and notes of café au lait, enhanced by hints of incense. Rich, round, full-bodied, and opulent, the palate confirms the initial impression, unfolding in a symphonic register, carried by a structure of exceptional density and an unforgettable finish. One question remains: when will this truly great wine reach its absolute peak? In ten, fifteen, or twenty-five years?

About the estate:

Acquired in 1853 by the Rothschild family, Château Mouton Rothschild is closely associated with Baron Philippe. Taking the helm of the estate in 1922, he restored its prestige by modernizing it (notably through the construction of the famous “grand chai”)—an effort that culminated in 1973 with the revision of the 1855 classification and Mouton’s elevation to the rank of First Growth. Baron Philippe also turned the estate into the foundation of a small empire comprising other vineyards and a wine merchant firm. He also played an important role in the history of wine by being one of the first to bottle wine at the château, as early as 1926, and by commissioning artists to design his labels. Starting in 1988, his daughter Philippine, who passed away in 2014, continued his work. Her children, Camille and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, succeeded her. Philippe Dhalluin has been the director since 2003. At his disposal is an 84-hectare vineyard located primarily on a hilltop of very deep gravel known as the “Plateau de Mouton” and a brand-new winery built in 2013.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep garnet in color, the 2009 Mouton Rothschild eschews earthy notes of undergrowth, plowed soil, and mushrooms, focusing instead on a core of blackcurrant cream, plum jam, and Indian spices with a hint of camphor. Full-bodied, with a firm texture and velvety tannins, featuring notes of black fruit preserves and layers of exotic spices, it offers consistent freshness and a very long, fruity finish.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Tasted shortly after bottling, it confirms its status as a great success. This is a very well-rounded wine—creamy and silky, yet powerful and straightforward. The fruit is crisp, and the tannins are perfectly integrated. A legend for this vintage

About the estate:

Philippe Sereys de Rothschild has presided over this iconic family estate in Pauillac since 2014. The wine, as flamboyant as ever and naturally exuding generous smoky notes, is more in its element than ever. While Mouton experienced a slump in the mid-1990s, it made a brilliant comeback in the early 2000s. Since then, a series of magnificent vintages has continued to write the legend of the only 1855 classified growth to have been promoted: from second growth, it logically moved up to first growth in 1973. Philippe Dhalluin, the architect of the estate’s revival, has handed over the reins to a strong duo consisting of Ariane Khaida (general manager) and Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy (technical director). Mouton, equipped with a new cellar since 2013, continues to thrive at the top. Of particular note is the progress made by the white wine, which is clearer and more precise than ever.

Wine Spectator

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling