Wine Advisor
Mouton Rothschild 1999
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Description
Formerly known as Château Brane-Mouton, it was in 1853 that Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired the property located on the Left Bank in the Bordeaux region in the Médoc. From this date, the Château was renamed Château Mouton-Rothschild. Under the leadership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild saw its reputation grow to become an emblem of the Pauillac appellation.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Mouton's huge harvest team of 400 pickers attacked the vineyard on September 26 and finished in early October. Only 60% of the crop made it into the grand vin, which is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Yields were a modest 42 hectoliters per hectare. At harvest, the estate's administrator, Patrick Leon, felt Merlot was the more favored grape, but after fermentation, he thought it was the Cabernet Sauvignon that had fared better, surprising in view of the heavy rains and tropical humidity experienced in late September. The extremely hot temperatures during the growing season (10% above normal) have left their imprint on the seductive, flashy, low acid 1999 Mouton. Aromas of grilled bread, creme de cassis, and vanillin jump from the glass of this opaque purple-colored effort. Exhibiting an admirable mid-palate, stuffing, and fatness, low acidity, and ripe, sweet tannin, this will be one of the more forward, seductive Moutons produced over the last two decades. As the wine sat in the glass, notes of new saddle leather, coconut, and smoke emerged. This should be an uncommonly precocious, delicious Mouton-Rothschild upon release, yet it will last for two decades. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Possibly my favourite 1999 in its infancy when I though it was obviously superior to the 1998. But retasted in 2003 it was such a let down, especially when comparing directly with the other Firsts. The nose is rather muted with notes of moss and cooked red meats. A smooth entry, high acidity but lacks structure and tannins. Sweet raspberry and cranberry. Lacks grip, too flashy. Very fruit driven but not intellectual. Tasted March 2000.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 1999 Mouton-Rothschild is a "useful," perhaps over-looked vintage from the First Growth estate. It has a clean and precise bouquet - you could almost describe this as dainty, which I mean in a positive sense. The fruit is beautifully delineated, almost pastille-like with subtle floral scents emerging with time. The palate is fresh on the entry with supple red berries pierced by a fine line of acidity. No, it is not complex and it has lost a little substance in recent years, yet it is well balanced with sufficient depth and body on the tobacco and cedar-tinged finish. If you can put its status aside, it boils down to nothing more than a well-made, easygoing and refined Pauillac to drink now and over the next decade. Tasted December 2016.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Made in a soft style, many readers will prefer this "friendlier" blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. A very sexy Mouton, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, sweet cassis fruit, coffee, and smoke. Long and lush, with low acidity, ripe tannin, and medium to full body, it should be reasonably approachable upon release, yet evolve nicely for 20-25 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the 1999 horizontal at Bordeaux Index. Compared to the Lafite, this does not quite have the same level of definition and clarity with notes of blackberry, black olive, wild hedgerow and a touch of cooked meats then later with aeration: shellfish. The palate is full-bodied with firm, rounded tannins, good depth, a little more opulent than the Lafite but not quite the breeding, the tannins coarser. The finish is “tangy” nice grip, bold and assertive but a First Growth should not show the “effort” in being First. Drink now-2025. Tasted June 2009.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The beautiful 1999 Mouton Rothschild may be a modern day clone of their 1962 or 1985. Its saturated ruby/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of cedar wood, creme de cassis, wood smoke, coffee, and dried herbs. The wine is forward, lush, and full-bodied. It is already complex as well as succulent, fleshy, and long. Tannin in the finish suggests more nuances will emerge in 4-5 years. It is a complex, classic Mouton. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030.
About the Producer
Chateau Mouton Rothschild is located in the Pauillac appellation in the Medoc of Bordeaux, France. In the 1855 classification, it shares the distinction of being a First Growth with Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Haut-Brion. Mouton Rothschild has adopted a modern approach to winery management, employing a viticulturalist to oversee the vineyards. From the cultivation of the grapes to the pruning of the vines, from the tracking of the ripening of the grapes to the manual harvesting, everything is done to perfection. Today, Château Mouton has 90 hectares of vineyards, most of which are located on a hill called "Plateau de Mouton", at an altitude of 27 meters. The soil is deep gravel, with good drainage and heat storage, which allows the grapes to ripen slowly. The vineyard is planted with 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, with a planting density of approximately 10,000 vines/ha and an average vine age of 44 years. The vineyard also contains 7 hectares of excellent plots for the production of high quality white wines, with 56% Sauvignon Blanc, 43% Semillon and 1% Muscadelle, planted at a density of 9,000 vines per hectare. During the harvest season, the grapes are picked and sorted by hand, and the carefully selected grapes are placed in fermentation vats by gravity alone through moving vats. As a result, the grapes are not subjected to any unnatural pressure or restraint and remain in their natural, pure state from the time they are harvested until they enter the fermentation vats. At the end of fermentation, the wine is transferred to new oak barrels to mature for about 20 months. In 2012, Mouton Rothschild's new winery, which combines traditional techniques with modern technology, was inaugurated. It is divided into two floors, connected by metal columns. The interior is equipped with oak barrels and stainless steel tanks of different sizes, which correspond to the different plots and varieties of the vineyard, in order to achieve a more optimal winemaking blend. Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, France is the main wine of the estate and accounts for half of the total production. It has been praised by many critics and wine lovers for its beautiful, elegant and unique style, which is in harmony with the terroir of the region, and its artistic design of the label. In addition to the main label, the winery also has Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, France (1993) and Aile d'Argent Blanc du Mouton (1991). Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Bordeaux, France). The Petit Mouton Rothschild is made from the younger vines on the estate and is harvested, vinified and bottled on the same basis as the full-length wine. The wine quickly gained a foothold in the market and was very well received. The Silver Wings dry white wine is rich, complex and elegant, and although its production is scarce, it is quickly becoming a symbol of Bordeaux's premium white wines and a favorite among wine enthusiasts.
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