What the Critics Are Saying:
Ch. Mouton Rothschild
99-100 points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com:
"A glamorous wine for the vintage, with mesmerizing perfumes of flowers, al dente fruit and citrus flowers. Black currants with some mineral and stone undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and an endless finish. The tannins lead you on a great trip. It is the most cabernet sauvignon ever used in the blend in recent memory. Balanced and structured. 98% cabernet sauvignon and 2% merlot."
98-100 points, Jane Anson, www.insidebordeaux.com:
" Highest Cabernet Sauvignon on record (since 94% for the 2010 vintage), stately and reserved at first, then totally joyful. The right austerity, coupled with squid ink character and fabulous hidden depths that are going to take their time to fully unroll, with the incense of the oak coming through only after a good 10 minutes in the glass, you barely perceive it on the first tasting. What a beautiful Mouton, great stuff from wine director Jean-Philippe Danjoy. 52% Grand Vin, basically pure old vine Cabernet."
98 points, Georgina Hindle, decanter.com:
"A fabulous Mouton with real personality and character and much more seductive than other wines from Pauillac this year. Dark fruit but cool, black cherries and berries with cola and mint touches. Juicy and upfront – immediately salivating in terms of fruit and acidity with gorgeous tannins, chalky, filling but soft not at all dry, fleshy but not too ripe. Intense, voluptuous, almost sensual and not at all austere despite the high percentage of Cabernet. One of the purest expression of what Cabernet can taste like on this site. Velvety, I just adore this for its frankness. Grippy, exciting, full of promise and energy. Wow. A potential 100-point wine."
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
95-96 points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com:
"Open and juicy with a plush nature as well as a noticeable ripeness, yet it's only 13% alcohol. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, velvety tannins and a savory, flavorful finish. Juicy and layered. Structured. Plenty of blackberry and blueberry character. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot."
Aile d’Argent
96-97 points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com:
"A serious Aile d'Argent with sliced green mangoes, pears and green apples. Full-bodied. Framed with phenolics and minerals. Complex and real. A touch of flint and cedar at the end. Super finish. A blend of 63% sauvignon blanc, 29% semillion, 7% sauvignon gris and 1% muscadelle."