Château Mouton Rothschild
Château Mouton Rothschild Mathusalem 2018 600 cl
Pauillac Château Mouton Rothschild
#970600
Château Mouton Rothschild Mathusalem 2016 600 cl
Pauillac Château Mouton Rothschild
#970600
Château Mouton Rothschild
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
History of Château Mouton Rothschild
The history of Château Mouton Rothschild dates back to 1853, when the visionary Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild bought Château Brane-Mouton, located in the prestigious Médoc region, at auction. Renamed Château Mouton Rothschild, the estate quickly became synonymous with excellence and innovation.
In 1924, under the direction of his descendant, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the estate underwent a major revolution with the construction of the spectacular 100-meter-long Grand Chai designed by architect Charles Siclis. He imposed bottling at the château, which until then had been delivered in barrels to wine merchants, a first in the Bordeaux region. During the first year in the cellars, the wine-making process followed the Médoc tradition
In 1973, the estate finally reached the pinnacle of recognition when it was elevated to the rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé, a long-awaited distinction that consecrated its status of excellence.
Following the death of Baron Philippe in 1988, his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, took over the running of the business, continuing the family legacy and dedication to quality. In 1993, she successfully introduced Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, a second wine that met with great success on the market.
In 2003, the estate proudly celebrates 150 years of history, marking a major milestone in its exceptional career. In 2006, at a historic auction, a twelve-bottle lot of Mouton Rothschild 1945 fetched $290,000, while a lot of six magnums of the same vintage sold for $190,000
magnums of the same vintage sold for $345,000. Mouton Rothschild thus becomes the world's most expensive wine.
Why the name Mouton Rothschild?
The name "Mouton Rothschild" was chosen after Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired Château Brane-Mouton at auction. He decided to rename the property to reflect his own family name, "Rothschild", while adding "Mouton" to honor the previous owner, Sieur Mouton, who had originally purchased the property and improved it considerably. Thus, "Mouton Rothschild" became the emblematic name of the winery, combining both the family heritage and the history of the estate.
It's also worth noting that the name "mouton" comes not from the animal, but from "motte/ mothon" meaning "earthen levee" in Old French.
Who are Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Philippine de Rothschild?
Philippe de Rothschild (1902-1988) was a member of the French branch of the Rothschild family. In addition to his banking activities, he was a renowned Grand Prix driver under the name "Georges Philippe" and had talents in various fields, including cinema, theater, poetry and viticulture. At the age of twenty, he took charge of the Château Mouton Rothschild vineyard.
In 1924, he introduced the innovation of bottling the château's entire production on site, and in 1932, he created the "Mouton Cadet" brand for grapes that didn't meet Château Mouton Rothschild standards. Philippe de Rothschild also collaborated with renowned artists to design unique wine labels, which has become a tradition for the House of Rothschild.
What is the relationship between Château Lafite and Château Mouton Rothschild? Who owns Lafite-Rothschild?
Château Lafite and Château Mouton Rothschild are two emblematic wine estates in the Médoc region of Bordeaux. Although they are both classified as Premiers Crus Classés in 1855, they are managed by separate families. Lafite is managed by the James de Rothschild family, while Mouton Rothschild is run by the Philippe de Rothschild family. Although they share a prestigious history and reputation, they operate independently and produce distinct wines, each with its own unique character and style.
Château Lafite Rothschild comes from the English branch of the prosperous Rothschild family, and is owned by the Rothschild family. Indeed, Château Lafite was purchased in 1868 by banker James de Rothschild and has remained in the family fold ever since. Since 2017, Saskia de Rothschild has been at the helm of the estate.
Terroir of Château Mouton Rothschild in Paulliac, a great Bordeaux wine
The terroir of Château Mouton Rothschild, nestled in the heart of the Médoc, represents a perfect marriage of natural elements that make it an exceptional place for viticulture. With its 90 hectares of vines, located north-west of Bordeaux in the Pauillac appellation, this estate enjoys a unique geographical location. Bordering the Médoc peninsula, it is surrounded by the Gironde estuary to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
The soil at Château Mouton Rothschild is characterized by gravel, pebbles, clay and sand, resulting in a poor, lean soil, perfect for growing vines. These unique conditions give the grapes an exceptional concentration of flavors and tannins, producing elegant, powerful red wines suitable for prolonged aging.
The relief of the terroir is made up of croups, slight elevations of land separated by low-lying areas. This topography favors optimal natural drainage and sunshine for grape ripening. It is on these croups that the best vines are found, giving birth to wines of incomparable quality.
#WINES FROM THE DOMAIN: Appellations and Cuvées
The Pauillac appellation
Pauillac, where Château Mouton Rothschild is located, is one of the region's most prestigious appellations, renowned for its exceptionally favorable terroir for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. The appellation includes three of the five Premiers Crus Classés of the Médoc and Graves: Lafite, Latour and, of course, Mouton. This prime wine-growing area is home to an elite group of Médoc crus, testifying to the excellence and renown of the Mouton Rothschild terroir.
See our complete selection of Pauillac wines
Château Mouton Rothschild vintages
Château Mouton Rothschild offers several exceptional cuvées, each offering a unique taste experience:
Mouton Rothschild
Le Petit Mouton by Mouton Rothschild
Silver Wing
Mouton Rothschild: The Château's great wine, a symbol of excellence and innovation in the world of wine. This prestigious red wine, produced from the estate's best and oldest vines, offers remarkable aromatic complexity and elegant structure, making it suitable for prolonged aging.
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild: This second cuvée, launched in 1993 by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, is the fruit of a rigorous selection of the estate's young vines. Despite its name, this wine is not lacking in character, offering a distinctive expression of the Mouton Rothschild terroir in a more accessible style, ready to be enjoyed younger.
Aile d'Argent: This white cuvée is a tribute to the creativity and boldness that characterize Château Mouton Rothschild. The name "Aile d'Argent" comes from a tale Baron Philippe de Rothschild told Baroness Philippine de Rothschild when she was a child. In the 90s, she introduced two new cuvées: Aile d'Argent, a dry white wine, and Petit Mouton. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle, this cuvée offers freshness, elegance and complexity, with subtle white fruit aromas and a refined texture on the palate.
Mouton Rothschild wine labels
Mouton Rothschild labels are renowned for their artistic character and creativity. Since 1945, each Château Mouton Rothschild vintage has been associated with a unique work of art on its label, specially chosen by the estate's owner at the time. This tradition was initiated by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who wished to add an artistic dimension to his wine by collaborating with a contemporary artist each year.
In 1924, to mark the Château's first bottling, a special label was designed by poster artist Jean Carlu. Since then, many other renowned artists have contributed to the Mouton Rothschild label collection, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol and many others. Each label is a true work of art in itself, often representing the theme of the vintage or the personality of the estate's owner at the time. In 1945, to commemorate the Allied victory, Baron Philippe Rothschild decided to enrich his labels with a reproduction of a work of art.
The best vintages of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, 1973, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2009, 2015, 2021, 2022
At what price can I buy a bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild? Price of Château Mouton Rothschild ?
The price of a bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild varies according to several factors, including vintage, cuvée, rarity and market demand. Older vintages and special cuvées can often fetch higher prices due to their prestige and ageing potential. For all online purchases, explore our site to discover a wide range of Château Mouton Rothschild selections.
#IN BRIEF: Figures
Region : Bordeaux
Appellation : Pauillac
Surface area : 90 hectares (Red: 83, White: 7)
Red grape varieties : Cabernet franc (3%), Merlot (17%), Cabernet-Sauvignon (79%), Petit Verdot (1%)
White grape varieties : Sémillon (40%), Sauvignon gris (8%), Muscadelle (1%), Sauvignon blanc (51%)
Vine cultivation : Raisonnée