Château Mouton Rothschild

History of Château Mouton Rothschild

The history of Château Mouton Rothschild begins in 1853, when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, a member of the English branch of the famous banking dynasty, purchased Château Brane-Mouton, located in Pauillac, in the Médoc. Renamed Château Mouton Rothschild, the estate quickly became a symbol of ambition and quality. However, it was not until 1922, under the impetus of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Nathaniel's great-great-grandson, that the estate underwent a true revolution. At just 20 years old, this visionary transformed Bordeaux's winemaking practices by introducing full château bottling from 1924 onwards, a major innovation at a time when wines were generally delivered in barrels to merchants. This decision ensured total control over the quality of Mouton Rothschild wine, laying the foundations for its worldwide renown.

In 1926, Baron Philippe commissioned the construction of the spectacular Grand Chai, designed by architect Charles Siclis, a 100-metre-long building combining functionality and architectural prowess. In 1933, he acquired a merchant company in Pauillac, today known as Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A., which produces and markets Mouton Cadet, the world's leading Bordeaux AOC brand. In 1945, to celebrate the Allied victory, he initiated an iconic tradition: each vintage of Château Mouton Rothschild is adorned with a label illustrated by an original work by a contemporary artist, beginning with the "V" for Victory designed by Philippe Jullian. Artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Warhol, Miró and Koons have since contributed to this unique collection, making each bottle a work of art.

In 1973, after decades of struggle, Baron Philippe obtained the official recognition of Château Mouton Rothschild as a Premier Cru Classé, a historic promotion in the 1855 classification, signed by Jacques Chirac, then Minister of Agriculture. The motto "Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change" proudly adorns the label of that year. Upon the Baron's death in 1988, his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, took the reins of the estate. A talented actress, she abandoned her career to perpetuate the family heritage, launching the second wine, Le Petit Mouton, in 1993, and the white wine Aile d'Argent in 1991. She also initiated the travelling exhibition "Mouton Rothschild – L'Art et l'Étiquette" in 1981, which has visited more than 40 museums around the world.

Since the passing of Baroness Philippine in 2014, her three children – Camille Sereys de Rothschild, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild – have been running the estate, continuing the pursuit of excellence. In 2013, a new high-tech cellar, designed by Richard Peduzzi and Bernard Mazières, was inaugurated, reinforcing the estate's commitment to innovation while respecting the traditions of the Médoc.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Mouton Rothschild

The Château Mouton Rothschild vineyard extends over 90 hectares in Pauillac, at the heart of the Médoc, on the famous "Plateau de Mouton". This exceptional terroir, composed of deep Günz gravels mixed with sand, clay and limestone, gives the wines their unique structure, power and elegance. Located between the Gironde estuary to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the vineyard benefits from a temperate oceanic climate, moderated by the proximity of the waters, and natural drainage favoured by the gently rolling contours of the terrain.

The vines, with an average age of 50 years, include certain plots planted over 130 years ago, among the oldest in Bordeaux. The grape varieties are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), which provides structure and depth, complemented by Merlot (16%) for roundness, Cabernet Franc (3%) for fine aromas and Petit Verdot (1%) for a spicy touch. Each plot is cultivated with meticulous precision, under the supervision of dedicated vine growers, following a programme of mass selection to preserve the quality of the plants. Viticultural practices, while not certified organic or biodynamic, respect the environment, with techniques such as green harvesting to reduce yields and concentrate the grapes.

Winemaking at Château Mouton Rothschild

Winemaking at Château Mouton Rothschild combines traditional expertise and cutting-edge technologies, ensuring wines of exceptional precision and purity. The harvest is entirely manual, carried out plot by plot, with grapes harvested in 12 kg crates to preserve their integrity. After rigorous manual sorting, the berries are conveyed to the winemaking cellar inaugurated in 2012, designed over two levels for 100% gravity-fed work. This ultra-modern cellar houses 44 oak vats and 20 stainless steel vats of various sizes, allowing precise plot-by-plot vinification for each grape variety.

Alcoholic fermentation, which lasts 20 to 25 days, is carried out at a controlled temperature of 28 to 29 °C. After malolactic fermentation in vats, the wine is aged for 19 to 22 months in carefully selected new oak barrels, with traditional operations such as topping up, egg white fining and racking. These steps, carried out in the Grand Chai and the second-year cellars, ensure natural clarification and optimal clarity. For Aile d'Argent, the white wine, a partial malolactic fermentation (approximately 20%) is carried out, bringing freshness and complexity.

The Cuvées of Château Mouton Rothschild

Château Mouton Rothschild - The Grand Vin

The fine wine of Château Mouton Rothschild, Premier Cru Classé, is the ultimate expression of the Pauillac terroir. Produced primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon (75 to 95%), with varying proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot depending on the vintage, this red wine is distinguished by its richness, elegance and longevity. On tasting, it reveals an intense cherry-red colour, a complex nose of blackcurrant, blueberry, graphite, spices and blond tobacco, and a dense palate with silky tannins and a lingering finish. Legendary vintages such as 1945, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1986, 1995, 2000 and 2010 are particularly sought after by collectors, with prices reflecting their rarity. With an annual production of approximately 300,000 bottles and an ageing potential exceeding 30 years, this wine is a must for lovers of great wines.

Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild

Introduced in 1993 by Baroness Philippine, Le Petit Mouton is the second wine of Château Mouton Rothschild, crafted from the estate's youngest vines. Although more accessible, it benefits from the same rigorous care as the Grand Vin, offering an ideal introduction to the world of Mouton. This red wine, composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, captivates with its exuberant nose of blackberries, toasted bread and mocha, and its silky, flavourful palate. Its label, inspired by a drawing by Jean Carlu, pays homage to the estate's artistic heritage. Le Petit Mouton is a choice option for wine lovers seeking an excellent quality-to-price ratio in the world of great Pauillac wines.

Aile d'Argent

Launched in 1991, Aile d'Argent is the dry white wine of Château Mouton Rothschild, produced from 7 hectares of vines planted with Sauvignon Blanc (53%), Sémillon (35%), Sauvignon Gris (11%) and Muscadelle (1%). This Bordeaux Blanc, partially fermented through malolactic fermentation, offers remarkable freshness and aromatic complexity, with notes of white fruits, citrus and a mineral touch. Carefully aged, it completes the estate's range and pairs perfectly with seafood, fish or cheese dishes. Aile d'Argent is a rarity among the Premiers Crus, which generally focus on red wines, and attracts lovers of exceptional white wines.

The Best Vintages of Château Mouton Rothschild According to Robert Parker

Château Mouton Rothschild, an iconic figure of Pauillac, has made history with exceptional vintages rated 100/100 by Robert Parker, notably 1945, 1959, 1982, 1986, 2016 and 2020. The years 2009 and 2018, with a score of 99/100, come close to perfection, while the vintages 1929, 1955, 1961, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2019, rated 98/100, illustrate the consistency and greatness of this legendary estate, a symbol of elegance and refinement in the world of great Bordeaux wines.

The Great Vintages of Pauillac

The Pauillac appellation, a pillar of the Médoc, is renowned for its red wines combining power, finesse and longevity. Among the historic vintages, 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990 stand out for their aromatic richness and their ability to age gracefully. The years 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005 impress with their structure and intensity. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 have reinforced Pauillac's reputation, offering balanced, complex wines ideal for extended cellaring.

The Other Premiers Grands Crus Classés Châteaux

Explore the prestige of the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, consecrated by the historic 1855 classification, which embody the pinnacle of Bordeaux oenology. In Pauillac, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Latour magnify Cabernet Sauvignon, offering structured, elegant red wines designed for exceptional ageing. In Margaux, Château Margaux captivates with its harmony and subtle aromas, representing a benchmark in sophistication. In Pessac-Léognan, Château Haut-Brion reveals the singularity of its gravelly terroir, combining intensity and delicacy. Finally, Château d'Yquem, the jewel of Sauternes, excels with its lusciously sweet wines of incomparable opulence and longevity, perfect for lovers of refined dessert wines. Browse our selection of Premiers Grands Crus Classés for a memorable experience!

Château Mouton Rothschild is far more than a wine estate: it is a symbol of excellence, innovation and art, rooted in an exceptional terroir in Pauillac. Since its acquisition in 1853, the estate has evolved under the visionary leadership of the Rothschild family, from Baron Philippe to his grandchildren, while remaining true to its motto: "Mouton ne change". With its Grand Vin, Le Petit Mouton and Aile d'Argent, Château Mouton Rothschild offers a range of wines that appeal equally to collectors and lovers of great wines. Whether you are looking for a bottle of Mouton Rothschild 1945 for a prestigious collection, a recent vintage such as the 2020 for a memorable tasting, or an accessible introduction with Le Petit Mouton, this estate offers a unique experience. Explore our selection of Château Mouton Rothschild wines at the best price and immerse yourself in the world of a legendary Premier Cru Classé, where every bottle tells a story of art, passion and terroir.