Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2004

The 2004 Mouton-Rothschild was the first vintage for Philippe Dhalluin, who was so successful in persuading the late Philippine de Rothschild to institute a more strict selection with respect to Mouton-Rothschild. The outstanding 2004 exhibits delicious notes of cedarwood, Christmas fruitcake, blackcurrants and toast. The wine possesses outstanding concentration, medium to full body, excellent purity, hints of forest floor and underbrush, and sweet, velvety tannin. It is on a fast evolutionary track, so consume this over the next 10-15 years.

The dense ruby/purple-hued, fresh, vivacious 2004 Mouton-Rothschild offers hints of new saddle leather, truffles, cassis, and pain grille, zesty acidity, a touch of austerity, and a medium-bodied, streamlined, restrained personality. This rich, pure claret will require patience as it needs a decade of cellaring to shed its lofty tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2045.

The dense ruby/purple-hued, fresh, vivacious 2004 Mouton-Rothschild offers hints of new saddle leather, truffles, cassis, and pain grille, zesty acidity, a touch of austerity, and a medium-bodied, streamlined, restrained personality. This rich, pure claret will require patience as it needs a decade of cellaring to shed its lofty tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2045.

Unlike the massive, tannic, blockbuster 2003, Mouton’s 2004 is a more linear, streamlined effort fashioned from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color along with classic aromas of creme de cassis, pain grille, espresso, spice, and cedar. Medium-bodied and fragrant, but not profoundly deep or concentrated (a characteristic of most 2004s), it offers good sweetness, crisp acidity, and loads of purity as well as length. Consider it a modern day version of their 1966 or 1988. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2028.

Beautiful aromas of crushed berries and chocolate, with hints of Indian spices. Full bodied with silky, velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is the first wine from the new winemaking team at Mouton and is showing really well. Best after 2011.

Layers of bright berry, currant and floral aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lovely velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is from the new team at Mouton and showing excellent focus and structure. Long and silky. Fine. Serious

An extremely distinctive wine - almost mid Atlantic rather than Pauillac and therefore of course very winning. Very dark purple. Hidden, deep-flavoured nose. Some rather sweet notes - even ripe Merlot notes which dominate at the moment. Very smooth and flattering in texture with real polish - very supple tannins with lots of fruit on the front palate. Not nearly as dry as one would expect of a first growth Pauillac - almost a hint of Opus One in texture? No hint of oak. Very interesting and not at all severe. Drink 2015-30.