1961 Château Mouton Rothschild
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Tasting notes
This vintage came 12 years before Mouton Rothschild was promoted to First Growth in 1973, and it clearly shows that it was already more than equalling its future siblings. Still rich ruby in colour, a touch earthy on first aromatics but settles quickly in the glass, and as it opens it transforms into a gorgeous finessed glass with peony and crushed rose aroamtics, gentle cigar box, campfire, black truffle and sofly-spoken brambled fruits. Fine tannins remain engaged, and this wine still has plenty to say. The bottle that I had ex-cellar from Mouton at the end of 2023 was just a little more concentrated, so inevitably storage comes into play with bottles of this age, but it's a delighful. Baron Philippe de Rothschild at the helm, with a stunning black, red and gold label by Georges Mathieu.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Just snuck in to my wines of the year, as tasted only recently at the château. One of those bottles that sends a shiver of excitement around everyone sitting at the table, and it more than delivered on expectations, with its deceptively melted and finessed tannins still giving a hug to the raspberry and loganbery fruits. Autumnal, wafts of soot and campfire, the softest kiss of black truffle and undergrowth. Just to be nauseating for a moment, I would give the 1945 Mouton just a slice-higher score, but in any normal universe this is pretty much a perfect wine. One of my favourite labels also, looking incredibly modern even 60 years later, by artist Georges Mathieu. Baron Philippe de Rothschild owner - and of course at this time, until 1973, Mouton was a 2nd Growth in the 1855 ranking, giving an extra layer to the story of the wine.
A bottle that had been decanted 12 hours previously and, although there was the tiniest suggestion it has not been freshly opened, was absolutely stonking. So rich, sweet and concentrated yet with no dryness at all. Absolutely luscious. So rich, sweet and round – and actually livelier than the 1959 served alongside that had been decanted only a couple of hours before. (JR)
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.