Château Mouton-Rothschild 1er Cru Classé 2021

Region and Vineyards

Château Mouton Rothschild, classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855 and reaffirmed in 1973, is situated in the northern sector of Pauillac, on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. Its 75 hectares of vines are planted on a gravelly rise known as a “motte”, composed of gravel, sand, clay, marl, and limestone, offering excellent drainage and thermal inertia. The average vine age exceeds 50 years, and the vineyard density is 8,500 vines per hectare, a configuration that fosters concentration and complexity.

The 2021 growing season began with an early and even budbreak, but was soon interrupted by cool, wet weather in spring and a persistent mildew threat from June through mid-July. However, a dry August and early September brought essential water stress and ripening conditions. Grapes matured slowly but thoroughly, particularly on Mouton’s gravelly soils. The harvest took place from 25 September to 6 October, with fastidious vineyard work ensuring a healthy and ripe crop under the direction of Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy.

Winemaking

The 2021 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc—a classic Left Bank profile highlighting the quality of Cabernet in a cooler year. Fermentation was carried out in 225-hectolitre wooden vats, with maceration lasting 15 to 25 days. The wine was then aged for up to 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels, maintaining the estate’s uncompromising approach to élevage.

With an alcohol level of 13.1%, IPT of 59, and pH of 3.73, this vintage is marked by freshness, definition, and restraint. Only 41% of the total production was selected for the Grand Vin, reinforcing its precision and purity. It is a structured yet approachable wine, expected to evolve beautifully over the coming decades.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with violet highlights and crystalline brightness.
• Aroma: Captivating bouquet of blackcurrant, cherry, violet, and iris, intertwined with cedar, spices, and graphite. Floral delicacy meets classic Pauillac complexity.
• Palate: Medium-bodied and finely chiseled, with sapid, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Layers of black cherry, cassis, and plum unfold with elegance, underlined by mineral tension and subtle oak. The finish is long, pure, and nuanced, revealing the vintage’s precision and depth.

Did you know?

The 2021 label features an artwork titled Universe of Mouton by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota. Inspired by the estate’s relationship with nature, the delicate threadwork imagery reflects the fragile balance between human intention and the natural world—an apt metaphor for the humility and harmony required to craft a great wine in a challenging vintage.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roast venison with juniper and wild herbs – a perfect match for the wine’s finesse, earthy notes, and firm tannins.
• Duck breast with cherry and hibiscus glaze – highlights the floral and red-fruited components.
• Lamb chops with rosemary and black garlic – echoes the savoury depth and mineral finish.
• Aged Tomme de Savoie or Cantal – enhances the structure and subtle salinity.

History of Château Mouton Rothschild

The estate’s origins trace back to the early 18th century, but its modern legacy began in 1853, when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, from the English branch of the Rothschild family, purchased Château Brane-Mouton and renamed it Mouton Rothschild. Despite being excluded from the top tier of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification—ranked as a Second Growth—Mouton would famously defy this hierarchy.

It was under the leadership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild (1902–1988) that Mouton’s status transformed. A bold and modernizing figure, Baron Philippe introduced several revolutionary changes to Bordeaux winemaking: in 1924, he was the first to bottle the wine entirely at the château (mise en bouteille au château), a now-standard practice. In 1945, he inaugurated the tradition of commissioning a contemporary artist to design each vintage’s label—a practice that continues today with works from the likes of Picasso, Miró, Warhol, and Koons.

After a decades-long campaign led by Baron Philippe, Château Mouton Rothschild was officially elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1973, the only revision ever made to the original 1855 Classification—a testament to its exceptional quality and the Rothschild family’s influence.

Today, the estate is managed by his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild’s descendants, under the umbrella of Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A., with Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild playing a leading role in artistic and brand direction, and Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy serving as technical director since 2020.

Region and Vineyards

Château Mouton Rothschild is situated in Pauillac, in the northern Médoc on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The vineyard covers 75 hectares (185 acres) and sits atop a prominent gravelly rise (“motte”), which lends the estate its name (“Mouton” possibly deriving from the Old French motte, meaning hillock). The soils are composed of deep Günzian gravels with excellent drainage, laid over limestone, marl, sand, and clay substrata.

This exceptional terroir is ideally suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 80% of the plantings, along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The average vine age is over 50 years, and vine density is 8,500 vines per hectare, promoting low yields and high concentration. Each parcel is vinified separately, allowing precise expression of site and variety.

The estate is farmed sustainably, with increasing emphasis on biodiversity and soil health. The unique microclimate of the estate allows for consistent ripening, even in challenging vintages, and contributes to the distinctive minerality and structure of Mouton’s wines.

Wine Range of Château Mouton Rothschild

The flagship wine is Château Mouton Rothschild, a Premier Grand Cru Classé red wine, typically dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is aged for about 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels, and no detail is spared from vine to bottle. Mouton Rothschild is renowned for its depth, concentration, complex aromatics (graphite, blackcurrant, cedar, exotic spice), and extraordinary aging potential, with great vintages maturing gracefully over 40+ years.

Mouton Rothschild also produces:

• Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild – the estate’s second wine, launched in 1993, made from younger vines and parcels not selected for the grand vin. It offers a more approachable expression of the estate’s character.
• Aile d’Argent – a rare dry white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and occasionally Muscadelle, sourced from a small dedicated vineyard. Known for its finesse, freshness, and aging potential, it reflects Mouton’s savoir-faire in white winemaking.
• Mouton Cadet – a widely distributed, branded wine originally created in 1930 by Baron Philippe as an accessible Bordeaux wine. It is no longer directly linked to the grand vin’s terroir but remains part of the broader Rothschild family wine portfolio.

Each vintage of the grand vin carries a bespoke label designed by a renowned contemporary artist, reinforcing the house’s fusion of art and viticulture. Mouton is not just a wine—it is a curated experience of heritage, luxury, and cultural expression.

Did you know?

Château Mouton Rothschild’s 1982 and 1986 vintages are considered among the greatest Bordeaux wines ever made. The 1982 vintage, in particular, helped cement the modern reputation of Bordeaux and was a favourite of critic Robert Parker, playing a pivotal role in his career and in Bordeaux’s commercial renaissance. Also, the museum at the château, the Musée du Vin dans l’Art, houses an extraordinary collection of wine-related art and artefacts from antiquity to modernity, symbolising the deep cultural dialogue between wine and civilization.