A strikingly elegant and aromatic Pauillac, the 2017 Mouton Rothschild marries classical structure with floral finesse. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, it opens with lifted aromas of blackcurrant, rose petals, graphite, and pencil shavings, accented by touches of liquorice, cocoa, and cedar. The palate is precise and refined, showing a cool core of dark fruit wrapped in ultra-fine tannins and a gentle balsamic freshness. Silky yet firm, it finishes long and fragrant with a hint of spice and minerality. A graceful, enduring Mouton with 40+ years of ageing potential.

JamesSuckling.com | JS 98
Published: Dec 19, 2019

Extremely perfumed Mouton with currants and crushed berries. Hints of roses and other flowers. Tight and extremely refined with ultra-fine tannins and cool yet rich currant character. The center palate offers sweet cherries and hints of oak. Lightly sweet and sour. Fresh, balsamic note. It firms up at the end. Solid. A blend of 90% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Try after 2025.

The Wine Advocate | RP 96+
Published: Oct 31, 2019
Drink: 2022-2067

The 2017 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal notes of warm black plums, baked black cherries, kirsch and freshly crushed blackcurrants with hints of candied violets, cinnamon toast, Ceylon tea and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate is charged with amazing energy, featuring dynamic black and red fruits and loads of baking spice and mineral sparks, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing long and fragrant. Given the intensity of fruit and structure, while this is a relatively elegant Mouton that will be approachable early on, I don’t see it as being short lived. It should give pleasure for a good 40+ years.

Decanter | D 96
Published: Nov 21, 2019
Drink: 2027-2050

Graphite, black chocolate, pencil lead, blackberry and liquorice. This is serious, not holding back on its confident sense of power and depth. 100% new oak coming through as toasted grilled almond aromatics, this has no issue with settling in for the long term and will deliver over the next two to three decades. Easy to love.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 12.90%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon 9% Merlot 1% Petit Verdot

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17.5++
Published: Sep 16, 2021
Drink: 2027-2045

Tasted blind. Deep ruby-purple colour. Big, bold and smoky nose with plenty of exotic spice overlaying brambly dark fruit. Huge tannic structure matched by plush fruit and very sweetly spiced oak. This is as glossy as the vintage gets without being overdone. Long and smoky finish lined with very persistent, ripe tannins. Chocolatey yet serious, this is very expressive already but needs time to fully knit together. 

Chateau-mouton-rothschild.com

- 2017 -

Climatic conditions
After a relatively mild winter with below-average rainfall, the first major event in 2017 was a spring frost that hit the whole Bordeaux terroir on 27 April, though the Mouton vineyard was very fortunately spared. That was followed by a particularly lengthy drought, which did not truly end until December.

Spurred by above-average temperatures, the vine growth cycle started slightly earlier than usual, at the end of March. Exceptional weather in April and May meant that flowering occurred 10 days earlier than the average for all varieties. After a very wet June, the summer was moderately sunny but dry, increasing a water deficit that started in 2016. As a result, the grapes remained small, with concentrated sugar and colour.

With an early growth cycle and a dry summer, the 2017 harvest was particularly early. At Chateau Mouton Rothschild, it lasted from 7 to 29 September. Running-off ended on 20 October and blending was completed in December.

The wines are rich, with a deep colour and an attractive tannic structure, full-bodied and pleasantly fresh even though 2017 is a solar vintage.