Mouton Rothschild 2009

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2009 Mouton Rothschild has a striking label from Anish Kapoor. The wine is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot that begs comparison as a young wine with what the 1982 tasted like in 1985 or, I suspect, what the 1959 may have tasted like in 1962. Representing 50% of their production, the wine has an inky purple color to the rim and not terribly high alcohol for a 2009 (13.2%), but that is reflected by the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a remarkable nose of lead pencil shavings, violets, creme de cassis and subtle barrique smells. It is stunningly opulent, fat, and super-concentrated, but the luxurious fruit tends to conceal some rather formidable tannins in the finish. This is an amazing wine that will be slightly more drinkable at an earlier age than I thought from barrel, but capable of lasting 50 or more years. Kudos to the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and the entire Mouton team, lead by Monsieur Dalhuin.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the chateau. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot, the highest percentage of Cabernet since 1963. Delivering 13.1% alcohol and an IPT was close to 80. The nose is tight at first and demands so coaxing from the glass, but unfurls to reveal a very pure aromatic profile: quite strict, more like Grand Puy Lacoste, a touch of smoke, very fine mineralite. The palate is medium-bodied very precise, supple tannins, superb Cabernet Sauvignon, taking time to open up but it does towards the finish, touches of tobacco and sous-bois underlying the ripe but not decadent fruit. The tannins are not quite as fine as Latour, but there is a lovely sensuality on the finish. Tasted March 2010.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This is the most backward and unevolved of all the Left Bank (Medoc) first-growths. In 10-20 years, the 2009 Mouton Rothschild should rank alongside the greatest vintages of the last three decades (1986 and 1982). Yields were a small 30 hectoliters per hectare, the final blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot, and the finished alcohol is 13.2% (not particularly high in this vintage). The pH is 3.81, and the index of tannins, the highest ever measured, a whopping 20% higher than the next highest vintage. The tannins, while present, are silky and well-integrated, one of the hallmarks of the 2009 vintage. An inky/purple color is accompanied by classic aromas of creme de cassis, violets, and hints of graphite and background oak. The overwhelming impression is one of layer upon layer of fruit, full-bodied opulence, and good structure. It tastes as if it were 2-3 months old rather than a post-malolactic, fully assembled barrel sample ... it’s that young, but so incredibly promising. A 50- to 100-year wine? Probably. (Tasted once.)

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2009 Mouton-Rothschild is as concentrated as the 2010, but it presents itself in a more consumer-friendly, seductive style. Opulently textured and full-bodied with gorgeous levels of crème de cassis, melted licorice, espresso roast and chocolate, it possesses high but sweet, velvety tannins, massive body, and fabulous purity as well as length. This could turn out to be a candidate for perfection in another 8-10 years. It will drink well for 30-50 years, but will always be much more approachable and charming than its 2010 counterpart.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2009 Mouton-Rothschild is a stunning wine. But you know that already. Here I remarked upon its deep co lour vis-a-vis recent vintages. The aromatics have "firmed up" since I last tasted it, takes a little encouragement from the glass, and then its sheer purity washes across the senses. Blackberry and cold stone notes, bilberry and just a touch of graphite that was less noticeable than before. The palate remains weighty in the mouth, extraordinarily dense and yet still utterly composed and beautifully focused, segueing towards an intense spicy finish. I noticed Philippe Dhalluim almost laughing at the quality of this 2009, such is its pedigree and yet will it eclipse the 2010 Mouton-Rothschild? Time will tell. Magnificent. Tasted May 2016.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the chateau, the Mouton ’09 is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot, one of the highest Cabernet components (until 2010!) Coming straight after Latour 2009, the Mouton is a little more bashful on the nose and demands coaxing, but it is well worth biding your time and letting it blossom in the glass. Blackberry, raspberry, cold wet limestone and a faint touch of apricot blossom in the background. Very well defined, elegant and composed aromatic profile. The palate is dense and full-bodied with beautifully composed tannins, a touch more opulent and perhaps spicier than the Latour, fanning out beautifully to a very complex finish with blackberry, cassis, charcoal, graphite and sous-bois. Superb persistency – incredible length. Outstanding…and it comes with a spellbinding Anish Kapoor label. Tasted November 2011.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Mouton '09 is more showy and decadent on the nose with more glycerine and prominent use of new oak. It does not have the delineation of the following two wines: perhaps slightly more New World in style (not intended pejoratively.) The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins. There is a thread of citrus freshness that neatly counterbalanced the lush macerated black fruit, whilst the finish is comparatively opulent and generous. Lovely... I suspected this actually might be its neighbour, Pontet-Canet! Tasted January 2013.

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Mouton Rothschild gives up bold earthy notions of underbrush, tilled soil and fungi over a core of crème de cassis, plum preserves and Indian spices with a waft of camphor. Full-bodied with a firm, velvety tannin texture and packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, it has seamless freshness and a very long, decadently fruited finish.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2009 Mouton Rothschild is exceptionally beautiful. A huge, powerful wine, the 2009 possesses stunning richness and radiance, with plenty of underlying structure to support all of that exuberance. Smoke, grilled herbs, tobacco and incense give the 2009 much of its exotic, captivating personality. Seamless, opulent, yet with terrific freshness, the 2009 is sure to thrill those fortunate to own it for several decades. In a word: dazzling. The blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot. Harvest took place between September 23 and October 6 in a year marked with dry weather, higher than average temperatures and generous sunshine.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

((a blend of 88 % cabernet sauvignon and 12 % merlot; 13.1% alcohol; pH 3.8; IPT) 78): Deep ruby. Flamboyant, superripe aromas of spicy blackcurrant, strawberry jam, smoky plum, vanilla, exotic wood and minerals scream Mouton (this would rate 100 points for its nose!). Rich, lush and powerful, with impressive fullness and volume to its ripe strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, sweet spice and cedar flavors. I picked up a hint of pomegranate on the end. The slightly chewy tannins are a bit less fine-grained tannins at this stage than I would have expected, but this is a monumental and extraordinarily long wine that must be among the four or five best ever made at this estate. (Le Petit Mouton de Mouton-Rothschild, which I rated 86-89, will give pleasure while your Mouton matures in the cellar. Its pretty nose is dominated by cabernet franc notes of violet, cocoa and white pepper, and its plum and blackberry flavors are complicated by an intriguing earthy note on the back. With moderate generosity of texture, it displays a slightly aggressive mouth feel.)

vinous97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2009 Mouton-Rothschild has a very backward bouquet that is clearly nowhere near its drinking plateau, unfolding reluctantly with cedar and pencil box infused black fruit. Glimpses of pressed rose petal unfurl with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a mixture of red and black fruit, and veins of blue. Very harmonious with a satin-like texture towards the persistent finish. Philippe Dhalluin conjured a gorgeous Mouton-Rothschild this year, but it needs another few years in the cellar. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Opaque, almost impenetrable purple-ruby. Closed nose hints at ripe dark plum, cassis, violet, coffee, minerals and ink. Opulent flavors of blackcurrant, minerals and herbs are pure and clean, with harmonious acidity lifting and extending them on the very long, rich, suave finish. This wine has improved considerably since the Primeurs. In fact, this is even more true of the 2010, which makes me think that Mouton may now require extra patience and leeway when it's tasted during the spring following the harvest. Another stellar wine for this property.