Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 1998 is an exceptional First Growth Bordeaux from the prestigious Pauillac AOC, showcasing the timeless elegance and longevity of one of the world's greatest wine estates. Crafted from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, this mature vintage reveals a captivating bouquet of blackcurrant, dried cherry, rose petals, cedar, tobacco, forest floor, warm spice, and subtle smoky notes. Medium- to full-bodied, it offers remarkable depth, silky texture, and beautifully integrated tannins, leading to a long, complex finish with refined tertiary character. Now entering an outstanding stage of maturity while still capable of aging for decades, Château Mouton Rothschild 1998 is a superb choice for collectors and pairs magnificently with roast lamb, prime beef, venison, and other classic fine dining dishes.

The Wine Advocate | RP 97
Published: Jun 1, 2018
Drink: 2018-2043

Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 1998 Mouton Rothschild is deep garnet-brick in color with lovely cr?me de cassis, dried roses, hoisin and baking spice notes with underlying notions of dried cherries and mulberries plus touches of wood smoke, incense and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied and packed with rich fruit framed by firm, chewy tannins, it is stacked with complex, evolving flavors and finishes with incredibly long-lasting perfumed notes. According to winemaker Philippe Dhalluin, this needs about three hours of decanting at this stage. I simply love the place this wine is in right now, possessing plenty of mature, tertiary characters yet still sporting bags of fruit. It won?t be fading anytime soon either and should cellar nicely for 20-25 more years.

Decanter | D 94
Published: Sep 24, 2021
Drink: 2022-2030

In his Wine Buyer’s Guide to France, Robert Parker felt this was the finest Mouton since 1986. At Vivat Bacchus, this was the most variable wine of the tasting, with one bottled corked, two distinctly edgy and a little green. The best bottle (described here) was much better. Deep and intensely purple in colour, there is still plenty of concentration and potential for this Mouton to blossom further. Ripe red/black cherry aromas combined with warm, spicy oak. The issues at harvest time are most evident on the palate with slightly hard, furry tannins. Harvested 28 September to 6 October. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 57% of production used for the Grand Vin.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 12.50%
Body: Medium
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 2% Cabernet Franc 86% Cabernet Sauvignon 12% Merlot

James Suckling | JS 91
Published: Nov 17, 2015

This is spicy and peppery with dried fruits and currants. It's full and velvety on the palate, showing pretty berries and toasted coffee beans. Long, long finish.