2018 Aile d'Argent
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Tasting notes
Always a more exotic, richly textured style of Bordeaux white wine, and it suits the exuberance of the 2018 vintage. Still young at three years old, dripping with nectarine, apricot pit, saffron and orange peel. It's at a lovely stage right now, with the savoury clean-feeling slate and lime coming out clearly. Harvest from 30 August 30 to September 5, unusually no Muscadelle in this vintage due to the dry summer, and no malolactic fermentation carried out at any stage to keep feshness. Personally, I think it benefits from this.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Aile d’Argent, which had been bottled in September, underwent no malolactic fermentation this year. It has a bright lemon thyme, mango and honeysuckle bouquet that is well defined and fresh, if not intense. The vibrant palate is almost Loire-like in style, with mango, Conference pear and a light saline note on the finish. Very fine, though not quite reaching the peaks of previous vintages.
The 2018 Aile D'Argent Blanc offers good freshness and purity as well as some tropical hints in its tart peach, pineapple, and crushed citrus aromas and flavors. It's beautifully balanced and has a fresh, clean, crisp style ideal for drinking over the coming couple of years.
55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Sémillon. Barrel sample. A touch cloudy. Complex and rich on the nose, there's oak's cedary spice but also an impressive depth of fruit, citrus and ripe pear. A definite tannin structure here, not particularly rich on the palate but well-structured and long. Sour grapefruit on the palate brings freshness. Longer than it is deep but harmonious. Spicy and quite tannic on the finish and that very slight tannic friction increases the freshness overall. The power is in the length rather than in the depth on the mid palate. (JH)
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.