Wine Advisor
Mouton Rothschild 2003
View analysis
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: Neal Martin
This is such an enjoyable Mouton: not profound, but then again not everything can possibly be! A superb nose, typically ostentatious with blackberry, ripe black olives, cedar and a touch of tinned prune. The palate is nowhere near as regal as Latour or Lafite and not quite as delineated and poised as Pichon-Baron ’03. But it does have layer upon layer of saturated ripe black cherries and cassis towards the almost hedonistic finish. A bit dumb…but sexy. Tasted April 2008.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
By no means the strongest of the first-growths in 2003, in fact, the 2003 Mouton is probably the weakest. The selection process that was implemented by new administrator Philippe Dhalluin a few years later had not yet gone into effect. The harvest took place between September 15-25, and the wine shows lots of opulent cassis, a hint of roasted coffee, and an evolved, fully mature style with light tannin in the finish. I wouldn’t push my luck, although it is certainly capable of lasting another decade. There may be a tendency for the tannins to give the wine a more desiccated overall impression five or six years from now.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Claret Club Mouton-Rothschild dinner. The 2003 is beginning to really come out of its shell. It has a lifted, well defined bouquet with cassis and blueberry fruit, a touch of liquorice developing with time. The palate is full-bodied with a fleshy, glossy entry, quite ostentatious in style with touches of date and graphite, yet nicely balanced on the finish. Very fine. Tasted November 2010.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2003 harvest began on September 15 and finished ten days later. The result is an outstanding 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, but it is not one of the superstars of Pauillac or the Northern Médoc. Its nearby neighbors, Lafite-Rothschild, Cos d’Estournel and Montrose, all produced wines that qualitatively dominate this effort from Mouton-Rothschild. Nevertheless, there is a lot to like. The tannins, which were so tough initially, have softened somewhat, and the nose offers up notes of cedarwood, roasted coffee, tobacco leaf and red and blackcurrants. This spicy, earthy, fleshy, medium to full-bodied 2003 is not one of the stars of the vintage. It is close to full maturity, where it should remain for another 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A lovely, complex nose of black olive, capsicum, blackberry and just a touch of oyster shell. Good definition. A dense, almost impenetrable palate with firm tannins shrouded in rich damson and blackberry fruit. Again, huge grip but lacking not only the sense of sophistication on the last two wines, but a sense of personality. Still impressive though. Drink 2012-2025+. Tasted January 2007.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A good Mouton-Rothschild though not quite in the league of Lafite or Latour. The nose is quite impenetrable at this stage and despite much coaxing it failed to blossom into anything particular. The palate is very very tannic though not astringent because there is marvelous concentration here. Very smooth and rounded, perhaps monolithic to some. Still well-balanced with an attractive toasty finish - it just lacks the verve and sexiness of the aforementioned first growths. Tasted March 2004.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Made from low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, this profound blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot possesses a finished pH of 3.8, alcohol of 12.9% (nearly identical to Lafite Rothschild in that sense), and 3.5 total acidity (much higher than the other first growths). The 2003 is similar in style to Mouton’s 1982, but softer and more pliable than that wine was at the same age. The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest began on the same day it did in both 1982 and 1947 ... an interesting coincidence. Black/purple-colored to the rim, with a gorgeous nose of espresso roast intermixed with classic Mouton creme de cassis liqueur-like notes, its powerful, unctuous flavors cascade over the palate revealing tremendous intensity as well as strong tannin. This enormously endowed 2003 is still sorting itself out, but it is unquestionably one of the greatest efforts of the vintage. If my instincts are correct, it is the ripest, most flamboyant Mouton-Rothschild since the 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9%, improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040+. During its sojourn in barrel, it reminded me of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1986 Moutons, but since bottling, it appears different, and even more tannic than those two vintages. I still believe the finest recent Mouton-Rothschild is the 2000.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This is the best showing for Mouton ’03, although I wonder whether I was seduced by its ostentation? It has an exotic bouquet with aromas of mulberry, briary, dried blood and cooked meats, fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, suppler red-berried earthy fruit, minerals, very harmonious and focused with a feminine, supremely well-focused finish that caresses and seduces the senses. Tasted October 2010.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This massive Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. A formidable black/purple to the rim, the wine offers up a tight but promising nose of scorched earth, creme de cassis, licorice, and charcoal notes followed by meaty, powerful, unctuous flavors that are huge, dense, tannic, and backward. Last year I thought it was somewhat similar to the 1982, and after nine months of barrel-aging, I have begun thinking of a hypothetical blend of both the 1982 and 1986. Incredibly different from the Lafite-Rothschild, which is so unctuous and plush, this is muscular, backward, and just humongous in size, a true giant from Pauillac. But prospective purchasers be forewarned - patience will be a virtue. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's "10-Year On" tasting in London. Comparing the Lafite-Rothschild and Latour with the Mouton-Rothschild, it is clear that it is lagging behind in terms of complexity and nuance, the growing season impinging upon the aromatics and dampening the fruit expression. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple, graphite tinged entry. It is nicely balanced but seems a little smudged towards the cedar-infused finish. This is a decent Mouton, though I prefer Latour and Lafite-Rothschild in this year. Tasted March 2013.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
A heady, exotic wine, the 2003 Mouton Rothschild takes hold of all the senses. The ripeness and exuberance of the year comes through in spades as this dramatic, opulent wine shows off its radiant personality. The 2003 can be enjoyed now, but it could also use another few years for the tannins to soften. Still, the 2003 is pretty hard to resist today. This is an exceptional, deeply satisfying Mouton endowed with notable richness but also exceptional balance. Hints of toffee, torrefaction and dark spices are laced into the finish. In 2003 the blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, all brought in between a fairly narrow window of ten days between September 15 and 25.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Good medium ruby. This is downright exotic on the nose: mocha, coffee, graphite and coconut, lifted by sandalwood and cinnamon spice. Then dense, supple and fine-grained without coming across as heavy. Suggestion of aromatic tree bark. A seamless wine that spreads out horizontally on the back end and finishes with very fine tannins. A bit less extreme than the average 2003, but the 2005 Mouton has more class. I suspect this is on the verge of shutting down in bottle.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Deep red-ruby. Exotic oak scents and lead pencil dominate the nose. Sweet, supple and lush, with a very fine-grained texture. The exotic oak character follows through on the palate. Very suave, but I don't find the fleshiness, extravagant ripeness and sheer size of the very best 2003s. Possesses unusually sound acidity for the vintage and finishes with building tannins.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; 12.9% alcohol, compared to 13% for Clerc-Milon and 13.1% for Armailhac) Good full, bright ruby. Brooding, medicinal aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, graphite and tobacco, along with some exotic oak notes. Quite closed in the middle palate and not particularly fleshy for the year. Shows some slightly green flavors of tobacco and currant leaf. Most impressive today on the long, slow-mounting finish. Still, I don't yet find the ripeness or stuffing of the best 2003 Medocs today.
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.
1947(2)1948(1)1950(2)1951(1)1952(1)1953(1)1954(1)1955(2)1956(1)1957(3)1958(2)1959(1)1960(1)1962(1)1963(1)1964(2)1965(1)1966(1)1967(1)1968(2)1969(2)1970(1)1971(2)1972(1)1973(3)1974(1)1975(2)1976(1)1977(2)1978(1)1979(3)1980(1)1981(1)1982(8)1983(2)1984(5)1985(5)1986(12)1987(5)1988(8)1989(8)1990(1)1991(5)1992(9)1993(6)1994(8)1995(12)1996(16)1997(6)1998(15)1999(13)2000(21)2001(16)2002(18)
Package Size
