Producer Profile
Chateau Mouton Rothschild
Chateau Mouton Rothschild is a First Growth estate in the village of Pauillac, within the Medoc region of Bordeaux. They were actually the only Frist Growth chateau to be classified after the official classification of 1855. They were elevated to this status in 1973 after extensive lobbying from their powerful and influential owner, Baron Philippe de Rothschild.
Mouton Rothschild has its vineyards on the slopes leading down to the Gironde Estuary on the edge of the Medoc peninsula. Today, it covers 222 acres of vines, mostly of Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The vines are planted on a narrow strip of land which is 80km long, and 5-10km wide, close to the river, which irrigates the soil in depth and moderates differences in temperature. They border the Landes forest to the north, so whilst they benefit from the ocean climate, they are also protected by its excesses.
At harvest, grapes are hand-picked and placed in open baskets to keep them intact. After destemmed, they are hand sorted, demonstrating the attention to detail throughout the process. They are then stored in oak vats, before maturing in new oak barrels. This process lasts for around 20 months.
The ambition of Mouton is for it to be a place of art. The harmonious buildings, and open green spaces are in perfect symmetry. It is a building of grandeur, with the Grand Chai and the Museum of Wine in Art being sights of splendour. They have strong links with the history of art, for example, incorporating the works of artists into their historic labels. The Chateau also has a ‘Paintings for Labels’ room including the original works of art selected by Philippe for their bottles. This includes the work of Jeff Koons, David Hockney, Andy Warhol and Wassily Kandinsky.
Mouton Rothschild is the epitome of opulence and luxury. Their wines offer a wealth of aroma, rich tannins, flavour, and aging capacity. For this reason, they are considered one of the finest producers in Bordeaux, and arguably the world. Visiting the Chateau is unforgettable.
