Château Mouton Rothschild

It is interesting to note that the two premier Grand Cru neighbours, Mouton and Lafite, have almost identical blends this year. Both have 93% of Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest made up with Merlot (except at Lafite, where there is a smidgeon, 1%, of Petit Verdot.) The Cabernet Sauvignon at Mouton is typical of this Château’s style and comes from a massale selection of the best plots. Perfumed and expressive in the nose, with complex notes of cassis, cedar, woodsmoke, plums and a touch of hazelnut. Opulent but fresh, generous but structured, the wine is full and silky on the palate with a vein of gravitas here and little grains of spice and acidulated fruit berries which sparkle and crunch on the tongue. This is a modern classic: modern tannins, great precision and perfectly ripe fruit which keeps its elegance; in such a long harvest period, the grapes could be picked over a long period and the resonance of the Cabernet is just fabulous.