Wine Advisor
Mouton Rothschild 2005
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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.
The 2005 Mouton Rothschild (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc) has a sensational nose of crème de cassis and incense as well as a touch of lead pencil shavings and forest floor. Dense purple, this is one of the biggest, richest wines I tasted from the Médoc. It is full-bodied, pure, and impressively endowed. Certainly the selection process and the vineyard have come through in admirable form. This wine has a certain accessibility due to the sweetness of the tannin, but it is multidimensional, with a majestic mouthfeel and length. Drink it over the next 30+ years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A superb Mouton, the 2005 is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. Under the new administrator, Philippe Dalhuin, the strictest selection of any recent vintage was instituted (64% of the production was used), and the 2005's 13.5% natural alcohol is one of the highest ever achieved at this estate. While not as good as the 1986 or 1982, the 2005 is a brilliant wine offering a classic inky/blue/purple color along with notions of creme de cassis, licorice, and sweet oak. Full-bodied, powerful, and exceptionally pure with good underlying acidity as well as a boatload of tannin, it will approach full maturity between 2015-2020, and should keep for 40 years.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Technical Director/Chief Winemaker Philippe Dhalluin said this was a special year for him, because he considers it his first great vintage—he started in 2004. Deep garnet with hint of brick, the 2005 Mouton Rothschild is evolving into unabashed, flamboyant notes of Christmas cake, plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries, eucalyptus and crème de cassis with beautifully fragrant wafts of potpourri, incense, Indian spices and cigar box. Full-bodied, the palate performs vinous pirouettes with dazzling exotic spice, floral and earthy nuances, framed by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2005 Mouton-Rothschild has developed magnificently, and is even better than I remember. The final blend was 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Stunning notes of crème de cassis, melted asphalt, roasted espresso and cedarwood are present in this young, full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Mouton. Just beginning to enter its adolescence, it should hit full maturity in 10-15 years and last for 50 or more. The greatness of this vintage is increasingly apparent as the wines throw off their cloaks of tannin.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2005 Château Mouton-Rothschild is a deeply impressive First Growth. It has been blessed with a sensational nose that comes racing out of the blocks with audacious scents of black fruit, cedar, smoke and pencil box (Philippe Dhalluin mentioned that the signature smokiness/fireside hearth was tangible in around 80% of the vats during élevage). There is a sense of bravura here, of aristocracy. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous black fruit, perhaps beginning to soften in texture, one or two years off its plateau. There are layers and layers of black fruit intermingling with graphite and black pepper, and it wisely reins everything in on the finish that is more classic in style and in keeping with the vintage. If you are fortunate enough to have this wine in your cellar, even though those tannins are starting to be abraded by time, afford it another five or six years. Tasted August 2016.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Quite a sweet ripe liquoricey nose. Ripe black fruits, touch of cassis. Not dissimilar to Latour, quite sweet, firm tannins, toasty black fruits. Good acidity. Blueberry, cedar, touch of mint. Supple, velvety finish. Showy as usual, 60 percent for Grand Vin. What it lacks is the extra dimension of say Lafite or Margaux, that explosive finish or even that sublime balance of Grand Puy Lacoste. Yet Mouton is always awkward at en primeur, hence the "plus" sign. Tasted April 2006.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2005 Mouton-Rothschild (a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc) tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol, one of the highest percentages ever achieved at this estate. It does not possess the power or awesome depth of the 1986 or 1982, but it may represent a modern-day clone of the 1955. A tannic, backward, concentrated, powerful Mouton built for the ages, it will require 10-15 years to reach its full potential. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by classic notes of creme de cassis and smoke, but no trace of new oak. That in itself is a good indication of how rich and concentrated this wine must be to have absorbed all its oak at this stage of its evolution. One might also term it 1996-like in style given its fresh acidity and bright personality. Medium to full-bodied, impeccably elegant, powerful yet subtle and reticent at present, it will be extremely long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2005 Mouton Rothschild will have to take a back seat to the prodigious 2006, but administrator Philippe Dalhuin deserves considerable credit for pushing Mouton to higher quality levels over recent years. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot, the dark purple-hued 2005 exhibits a restrained but promising nose of cedar, tobacco leaf, creme de cassis, and toasty oak. Full-bodied, tannic, and extremely backward, with the vintage’s tell-tale acidity, it appears to be even more closed in the bottle than it was from barrel. It does possess a long finish and multilayered mouthfeel. This is an undeniably outstanding, yet restrained, shy wine for a Mouton Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040+
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Château Mouton-Rothschild 2005 has a perfumed, quite floral bouquet with very pure blackberry and wild strawberry scents, mint and a touch of undergrowth and with time a little menthol. The palate is medium-bodied with red berry fruit, allspice, dried orange peel and even a hint of garrigues towards the finish. It feels just a step or two more advanced than the other First Growths but it remains a fantastic Mouton from Philippe Dhalluin. Ignore at your peril.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind against its peers, this brilliant Mouton-Rothschild trumped both Latour and Lafite! If it lacked the same level of breeding out of barrel, then it sure as hell is making up for its now. The nose is incredibly ripe and is perhaps more accessible than those aforementioned Pauillacs. Dark cherries, kirsch, cedar and some lovely vanillary new oak – sleek and sophisticated. Great definition. The palate has a viscous entry, fat round tannins, voluptuous, generous and sensuous. Great depth with blackberry, raspberry, a touch of black olive tapenade. Sensuous, feminine finish. Sublime. Drink 2017-2040+ Tasted January 2009.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
One of the real highlights on the Left Bank, the 2005 Mouton Rothschild is a dark, potent Pauillac. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and leather all take shape in the glass. The 2005 is a dense, powerful and explosive wine endowed with tremendous energy and pure power. The fruit is just starting to emerge, but Mouton remains a very tight, super-classic wine. With time in the glass, some of the natural richness and radiance of the year starts to emerge. Even so, the 2005 is still very young and closed. A few more years in bottle will only be beneficial. Impressive. Tasted two times.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
One of the highlights in this vertical, the 2005 Mouton Rothschild is exceptional. Dark, powerful and explosive on the palate, the 2005 is endowed with magnificent depth and richness. Just at the early part of its drinking window, the 2005 is sure to drink well for many years from here, especially if it is given a little bit of air. The 2005 is a stunning Mouton, but it needs time to fully blossom. Harvest took place between September 21 and October 6. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and just 1% Cabernet Franc.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Graphite, scorched earth, tar, licorice, incense and a host of dark fleshed stone fruits emerge from the 2005 Mouton-Rothschild. Here the overall impression is of pure verticality and structure. Dense, powerful and super-concentrated on the palate, the 2005 is another wine that is just beginning to gradually enter the early part of what looks like a long plateau of fabulous drinking. The tannins have softened, but the flavors remain quite vibrant. Readers who appreciate more layers of nuance should cellar the 2005 for at least a few more years.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
($1; 100-$1,400) Full ruby-red. Explosive, superripe aromas of black raspberry, currant, graphite and tobacco leaf. Outsized, opulent and generous; this big boy saturates the entire mouth. There's an almost exotic character to the plum and cedar flavors. Spreads out impressively on the back end, coating the palate with ripe tannins. The 2006 is at once finer and more powerful, with more noble tannins, but this is more opulent.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Sexy, expressive nose offers currant, dark chocolate, licorice, graphite, mocha and nutty oak. Sweet, lush and deep; a big, plump, chocolatey wine that finishes with sweet, late-arriving tannins. Still, I find this a touch sullen today (Armailhac is the showy 2005 at the moment at this address) and not expressing its full personality, but extended aeration brought more flavor and sweetness. Very different in style from the 2006: more opulent but perhaps less refined.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright medium ruby. Nose of black fruits, minerals and graphite shows an almost minty austerity. Racy and vibrant on the palate, but with outstanding density and sweetness; stuffed with cassis, mineral and dark chocolate flavor. This offers a superb combination of full mouth coverage and medicinal austerity. Perhaps best on the back end, which shows full ripeness, wonderfully lush tannins and superb persistence. The pH here is 3.82, the same figure that was given to me for Lafite-Rothschild. A very sophisticated Mouton, and likely to evolve in bottle for upwards of three decades.
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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