2014 Ch Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, 1er Cru
A$1,165.50
The 2014 Mouton Rothschild displays an intoxicating nose of smoke, cigar box, wet forest floor, cassis and black fruits is really there. Classic in style, combining ripe, but firm tannins, full bodied and finishing with a concentrated bite of sweet, black currants, Cuban cigars and exotic spices, this will require at least a decade, and perhaps two, to develop to its full potential.
Availability:
Out of stock
SKU
MOUTON146
The start of the famous Rothschild family begins in 1744, with the birth of Amschel Meyer. Amschel Meyer began creating his fortune while working as a merchant at “zum Roten Schild,” which eventually became the family name of Rothschild.
In 1798 his sons were sent to various cities to create their fortunes as well. Needless to say, his sons all prospered as did their children in turn. This eventually led to their desire to own a chateau in Bordeaux.
Nathaniel de Rothschild set his eyes on Chateau Brane Mouton. Chateau Brane Mouton took its name from Joseph de Brane, who bought the estate in 1720 from Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur.
The de Segur family owned and created several legendary Bordeaux estate including Chateau Calon Segur, which still bears their name. The new owner, Joseph de Brane, (who also owned Brane Cantenac in Margaux) combined his last name with Mouton, (which is translated into small hill) and Chateau Brane-Mouton was born.
The official birth of what we know as Chateau Mouton Rothschild took place in 1853 when Nathaniel de Rothschild purchased Brane Mouton from Isaac Thuret. Because the estate had not been maintained, the vineyards required extensive replanting and a new chateau was required, Isaac Thuret sold the property less than he paid for it 23 years earlier. Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, an English member of the Rothschild family, followed the custom of the day, renaming the property using his name along with a portion of the original name, and Chateau Mouton Rothschild was born.
In 1868, James Rothschild, another member of the family purchased Chateau Lafite. The 5 pointed crest of the labels of the Rothschild family wines is to remember the 5 sons of the first generation of the Rothschild family. James Rothschild never visited Mouton Rothschild in his lifetime. The estate was simply an investment. It took the next generation until a member of the family visited and lived at Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
It can be argued that the modern age of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, along with the modernization of the entire Bordeaux wine region began at the same time. In fact it took place less than one hundred years ago. Both events started when the young Baron Philippe Rothschild, who was only 20 years old at the time, gained control of the famous Bordeaux wine property Mouton Rothschild. The Baron completely changed how Bordeaux wine was produced and sold.
The Left Bank property was already world famous for its wines by this time. But the young Baron Philippe Rothschild knew the estate could produce better Bordeaux wine. He was sure Chateau Mouton was as good as any of the First Growth wines from the Medoc.
In the original 1855 Classification, Chateau Mouton Rothschild awarded Second Growth status. He made it his mission to earn the coveted First Growth status for Mouton Rothschild. While that will always be a feather in the cap of Mouton Rothschild, perhaps even more important is that Chateau Mouton Rothschild is the only First Growth still in the same families hands since the historic 1855 classification.
What the Baron accomplished at Mouton Rothschild in only two years is nothing short of amazing. The Baron was the first Bordeaux wine maker to insist on bottling all his wine at the estate. He started what was at the time considered to be an unusual idea. This allowed total control over the Bordeaux wine he sold from Mouton Rothschild. Prior to that point, chateaux either bottled their wine, or sold it in barrel to negociants, who bottled and sold the wine.
Keep in mind, at the time, bottling at the property was a revolutionary concept. To enhance the start of bottling at the chateau in customers minds, Baron Philippe Rothschild hired the Cubist artist Jean Carlu to create a special label for the 1924 Chateau Mouton Rothschild label. This was the precursor to now famous artist designed labels for the bottles which began in 1945.
The 75 hectare vineyard of Chateau Mouton Rothschild is planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This shows a slight change in the vineyard since the mid 1990’s marked by a slight reduction in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, along with an increase in the Merlot. Interestingly, over the years, due to replanting, the vineyard makeup and blends have varied more than usual over a 10 year period starting in 2004. For example, Petit Verdot was not used in the blend for Mouton Rothschild from 2004 until 2015. Cabernet Franc was not placed in the blend between 2006 and 2010. The vineyard has a terroir filled with gravel, rocks, sand, clay and limestone soils.
The Mouton Rothschild vineyard is old, with vines averaging 50 years of age. However, they have old vines. Some parcels have vines that were planted more than 100 years ago! The oldest vines were cultivated in 1890
The 2014 Mouton Rothschild displays an intoxicating nose of smoke, cigar box, wet forest floor, cassis and black fruits is really there. Classic in style, combining ripe, but firm tannins, full bodied and finishing with a concentrated bite of sweet, black currants, Cuban cigars and exotic spices, this will require at least a decade, and perhaps two, to develop to its full potential.
The wine was produced from blending 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
95 points - Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate
The 2014 Mouton-Rothschild was closed at first when I tasted the wine in bottle with winemaker Philippe Dhalluin. But as it transpires, this First Growth is just toying with you. Initially quite understated, it responds to aeration like a young child peeking from around a corner and then running out, waving its hands. It suddenly hits you with gorgeous black cherries, bilberry, cedar and wilted rose petal. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth entry.
This is utterly seductive: a wine without a hair out of place. It is not as powerful or as complex as the 2015 Mouton-Rothschild, yet the precision and focus here is beguiling. It will require five to seven years to absorb the 100% new oak, then it will be an utterly delicious and to use a term employed at en primeur, "cerebral" First Growth that is destined to give two or three decades of pleasure.
Drink 2022-2060
Tasted April 2017
97-99 points Wine Enthusiast
Barrel Sample. A great wine, this Lafite has great power and richness as well as a wonderfully elegant touch. It is dark and brooding on the one hand and fresh in black currant fruit on the other. Woody tones support the superb fruits and complement the texture.
97-98 points James Suckling I love the sexy, perfumed and feminine style to this young Lafite with rose petals, rose stems and currants. Full body, super fine tannins and a wonderful finish. Lasts for a very, very long time.) 94-97 points Wine Spectator Very backward, with loads of cedar, espresso and juniper out front, while the core of currant and blackberry fruit stays in reserve. Shows ample grip on the finish, but this is fine-grained and exhibits superb cut.
95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild, tasted with head winemaker Eric Kohler, has retained that very opulent and outgoing bouquet that dare I say actually reminded me of Mouton-Rothschild. There are layers of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, still that hint of juniper berry, certainly a more extrovert Lafite-Rothschild compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, very focused and quite linear, again with plenty of black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. It begins to clam up towards the saline finish, suggesting that it will need several years in bottle, but I still have high expectations for this First Growth once afforded several years in bottle.
92-95 points Antonio Galloni Vinous
A rich, powerful wine, the 2014 Lafite-Rothschild boasts superb depth, nuance and class. Hints of plum, cinnamon, wild flowers and exotic spices are woven throughout, but the flavors remain quite primary. The delicate, brilliant finish points to a bright future for a Lafite that should start to drink well with minimal cellaring. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. In 2014, the Grand Vin accounts for 38% of the production.
99 points - James Suckling
Incredible iodine, oyster, currants, peat and cedar. Yet subtle. Full body, chewy yet polished tannins and great depth and complexity on the finish. I love the spice and blueberry character on the finish. Vibrant. A sexy style of Mouton. Try drinking this in 2022.
| Product/Service Sold Out | No |
|---|---|
| En Primeur | No |
| New Arrivals | No |
| Wine Type | Red Wine |
| Wine Style | Traditional |
| Country | France |
| Region | Pauillac |
| Varietals | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
| Vintage | 2014 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Wine Points | 99 |
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