1994 Mouton Rothschild
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Tasting notes
Full bottle just 1,278 g (before they started using heavier bottles). Artist for the 1994 was the Dutch Karel Appel. Baroness Philippine named on the front label. Her father died in 1988, she took the reins until her decease in 2014. Good level in the bottleneck. Transparent ruby shaded out to a water-white rim. Fully mature, cedar-box aroma with some strong stoniness. Ripe blackcurrants on the front palate and then it refined itself to a dry, impressively long finish. Tannins completely resolved and no point in cellaring this longer but no suggestion this is too old. Lots of pleasure here.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Harvested 19 September to 1 October. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Much lighter and leafier – some might describe it as ‘elegant’ Mouton. The fruit quality here is quite subdued and has a distinct cool edge, with no great concentration. All four bottles tasted remarkably similar. A little lean on the palate. This won’t improve with more maturation.
This is still youthful in appearance of dark ruby color. It sets an excellent example for the 1994 vintage with a spicy, toasty nose showing lots of blackcurrants and tar. It's full-bodied, refined and chewy.
After less than persuasive performances in two potentially great years, 1989 and 1990, Mouton-Rothschild appears to have settled down, producing fine efforts in recent vintages, culminating with the enormously promising, unquestionably profound 1995. The 1994 appears to be the finest Mouton-Rothschild made following the 1986 and before the 1995's conception. The wine exhibits a dense, saturated purple color, followed by a classic Mouton nose of sweet black fruits intermingled with smoke, pain grillee, spice, and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, with outstanding concentration, a layered feel, plenty of tannin, and rich, concentrated fruit, this wine is similar to the fine 1988. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025. By the way, the Dutch artist, Appel, has created a gorgeous label for the 1994. Although Mouton-Rothschild can be among the most inconsistent first-growths, when this estate gets everything right, the wine can be as compelling as any produced in Bordeaux.
About the producer
Pauillac-based Ch. Mouton Rothschild is one of the five First Growths, producing some of the finest wine in Bordeaux and the world. Known for its flamboyant style, the label for the Grand Vin is designed by a different artist each year.