Mouton Rothschild - Pauillac 2015

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe7/16/2025

The 2015 Mouton-Rothschild has a very Pauillac-like bouquet with cassis, violet and pencil shaving aromas that are all beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins. This is so sapid with touches of shucked oyster shells toward the persistent finish. It is excellent. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe7/10/2019

The 2015 Mouton-Rothschild has more fruit intensity on the nose than the 2015 Château Margaux and also more red than black fruit: the raspberry and wild strawberry scents are more expressive than the blackberry and briary ones. The oak is neatly integrated here, although I would have liked a little more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and vivacious red and black fruit, though it is the silky texture that really wins you over. There’s not a single hair out of place on the finish. Perhaps the aromatics just need to up their game. I was expecting a little more. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Wine Advocate

98

byNeal Martinthe3/2/2018

 The 2015 Mouton Rothschild has a deep, almost opaque color. The nose is very intense and extraordinarily backward: blackberry, graphite (in fact, more like a big box of pencil shavings), hints of blueberry, violet and a splash of Indian ink. It must surely constitute one of the most penetrating aromatics this vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin that forms the arching structure of this Mouton, with layers of rich black fruit reined in by the killer line of acidity. This is ineffably pure and delineated toward the finish with an effervescent finish that leaves a stupid grin on your face. Together with that brilliant label by Gerhard Richter, this is a must-have in your cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2028 - 2060. 

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

In 2015, Mouton Rothschild is fabulous. A big, towering wine, the 2015 makes its presence felt with layers of super-ripe dense fruit and striking textural resonance that carries all the way through to the finish. The 2015 is much more reticent from bottle than it was from barrel, which is not at all surprising, but is something readers should take into account. Even with all of its obvious intensity, the 2015 Mouton is a wine of classically inspired proportions. I can't wait to taste it in another 15-20 years. The 2015 is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc that spend 19 months in 100% new French oak.

Wine Advocate

98

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/22/2018

The 2015 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak with a mid-July 2017 bottling. Deep garnet-purple colored, this Mouton pulls off an incredibly impactful entrance, emerging from the glass with profound notes of blackberry preserves, plum pudding, crème de cassis and grilled meats, featuring perfectly accessorized accents of sandalwood, cinnamon stick and fenugreek with wafts of dried roses, unsmoked cigars and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely packed with rich, ripe black fruits sparked with blue and red fruit undertones and an incredible structure of very firm, very ripe tannins, with seamless freshness and an epically long, earth-laced finish. Possessing striking natural beauty framed by impeccable crafting, this 2015 is a total diva and well worth attention. Give it a good 7-8 years in bottle, at least, and drink it over the next 30+ years.

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe2/15/2018

Offers a prodigious core of steeped fig, black currant and blackberry compote flavors, enmeshed with notes of smoldering tobacco, charcoal and licorice. Broad, deep and long, with a deep foundation of graphite through the finish. Despite the heft, this manages to show off some purity too. Best from 2025 through 2045.   –JM

Jamessuckling.com

99

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

Decadent and rich aromas of black cherries and plums with wet earth and sandalwood. Turns to dried mushrooms. Full-bodied, tight and closed with big, polished tannins, yet this is very closed and shy right now. Despite this, underneath it shows such depth and beauty. Tangy acidity. This is a combination of 2005 and 2009. Try it in 2024.

Decanter.com

98

byJane Ansonthe1/26/2018

Gorgeously confident and rich in colour, you can see the silkiness in the glass from the first look. This has 11% press wine, which tells you how good the skins were and how gently they extract at first. Winemaker Philippe Dhalluin and team have really succeeded in this vintage. It is beautifully integrated, and full of verve and sexiness, just stopping short of swagger. It approaches the heights of 2015 in the most successful appellations and will age well. Bottled in June, with zero oxygen added at bottling and just 25 ppm of SO2.

Jeb DUNNUCK

99

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

Dark in color with a complex nose of licorice, spice box, tobacco and ripe, dark red fruits, this wine is concentrated, long and fresh with true depth of flavor and purity in the mouth. Red, black and even blue fruit are showcased with a hint of spice. The finish packs a silky but slightly reserved punch with smooth, creamy tannins that linger on the palate. The blend comes from 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, reaching 13.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.76. The harvest took place between September 14 and October 2.

Wine Advocate

97-99

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc matured entirely in new oak, as usual. This represents a relatively high percentage of Merlot simply because, as winemaker Philippe Dhalluin told me, that quality was so good. I afforded my sample four to five minutes to open as it was a little reduced at first, but eventually it reveals a gorgeous, extraordinarily intense bouquet of blackberry, cassis, incense and cold slate aromas. In some ways it reminds me of Latour as much as Mouton Rothschild. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannin, perfectly pitched acidity, wonderful tension and impressive length. There is a strong graphite theme running through from start to finish that is little grainy and so it will require preferably a decade in cellar. But what freshness and panache here, a classic Mouton-Rothschild that will live for 50 or 60 years, not a million miles away from say, the 1986 or 2010. Expect this to settle at the top of my banded score once in bottle.

Decanter.com

98

bySteven Spurrierthe4/27/2016

My joint top wine (with Ch Margaux) of the vintage. A real firework display but still controlled. Very rich on the palate: broad yet silky, earthy yet so refined. This is Mouton at a new peak and it’s hard to imagine a better balance of elegance and power. 2024-2050

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

A bold, dramatic wine, the 2015 Mouton-Rothschild sweeps across the palate with remarkable depth. Seemingly endless layers seem to open as the 2015 fills out its broad, ample frame. The tannins are silky and creamy, which give the 2015 much of its voluptuous, inviting personality, while the finish is both remarkably vivid and persistent. This is an especially dark, powerful Mouton. In 2015, harvest stretched from September 14 to October 2, a few days longer than normal. The blend is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

timatkin.com

94

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Jancis Robinson

19

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2016

82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 57% of the crop. Very majestic nose. Obviously first-growth quality. Savoury and plush in terms of texture. Restrained without being a wimp. Lovely scent. Dry finish but with some of Mouton's opulence before then. Very fine. Very exciting. Some saline sap as well as all the ripe fruit. Drink 2025-2045

Wine Enthusiast

95-97

byRoger Vossthe4/15/2016

Barrel Sample. This wine is generous without being opulent. It has a straight line of bright acidity that shoots through the wine giving it a fresh character. At the same time, the Cabernet that dominates the blend offers some serious firm tannins. It is a wine that starts with fruit and will give fine fruit for many years to come. 96 points

Jamessuckling.com

96-97

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

Very racy and refined with super polished tannins and focused dark fruits. Blackberry, orange peel, and black currants. Full. Very long and through provoking. A wine that delivers power and finesse. Juicy and fresh.