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99 Robert Parker
The 2018 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc—there is also a splash of all the Petit Verdot they had, but it doesn’t even register in the percentage. It has 13.8% alcohol, which is relatively modest for the vintage. Deep garnet-purple colored, it straight away pops with bright, vivacious notes of crushed blackcurrants, juicy blackberries and redcurrant jelly with slowly emerging nuances of candied violets, stewed plums, licorice and black tea, plus a waft of dusty red soil. The medium-bodied palate is built like a brick house with super firm, super ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing long and savory with lingering mineral suggestions. This is so, so delicious and, due to the ripeness of tannins, approachable now. It will be difficult to keep your mitts off it for a good 5-7 years, when all those tightly tucked away nuances should begin to emerge. After that, it should improve over the course of 25 years or more and drink for 40+.
98 Wine Spectator
This large-scaled wine is brimming with cassis and distilled plum fruit that’s remarkably pure, focused and driven in feel, supported by a seamless, iron-clad and remarkably polished structure, doing its job without detracting from the fruit. Add in sparkles of savory, racy floral and sanguine accents, as well as some pretty ridiculous length, and you have another battleship of a wine in the making. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2050. — JM <br/>
Producer
Château Mouton Rothschild
Unique among the Bordeaux First Growths, Château Mouton Rothschild has been the only estate to join its high ranking after the famed 1855 Classification. In 1973, Baron Philippe de Rothschild successfully lobbied for the château, resulting in their Premiers Crus status that we know today. While their wines continuously reign top of the Classified Growths, their opulence and approachability paired with dark cassis notes, and powerful tannins has stayed true to their premium blending style. Baron Philippe said it perfectly, upon their elevated rank, “Premier je suis. Second je fus. Mouton ne change”, meaning “First I am. Second I was. Mouton does not change.” For many years, the estate was run by his daughter and art enthusiast, Baroness Philippine until her passing in 2014. Thanks to her, iconic artists like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Keith Haring and Georges Braque have designed several labels for various vintages. In addition to their famous flagship, Mouton Rothschild, and their second label, Le Petit Mouton, a smaller production of a premium white, Aile d’Argent is also tempting.