Mouton Rothschild - Pauillac 2018

Vinous

99

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Mouton Rothschild is a rich, shockingly flamboyant wine endowed with tremendous fruit density and a level of unctuousness that could be taken for a wine still in barrel. Marvelously open and fleshy, the 2018 is utterly breathtaking today. I imagine it will shut down at some point, but today it is all seduction here. Ripe red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and cedar infuse the 2018 with tons of complexity. This is a tremendous showing.

Wine Advocate

99

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The 2018 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc—there is also a splash of all the Petit Verdot they had, but it doesn’t even register in the percentage. It has 13.8% alcohol, which is relatively modest for the vintage. Deep garnet-purple colored, it straight away pops with bright, vivacious notes of crushed blackcurrants, juicy blackberries and redcurrant jelly with slowly emerging nuances of candied violets, stewed plums, licorice and black tea, plus a waft of dusty red soil. The medium-bodied palate is built like a brick house with super firm, super ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing long and savory with lingering mineral suggestions. This is so, so delicious and, due to the ripeness of tannins, approachable now. It will be difficult to keep your mitts off it for a good 5-7 years, when all those tightly tucked away nuances should begin to emerge. After that, it should improve over the course of 25 years or more and drink for 40+.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

Coming from a selection of 76% of the total production, the 2018 Château Mouton Rothschild checks in as 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up all in new French oak. This dense purple-hued effort has a backward, primordial bouquet of pure crème de cassis, scorched earth, burning embers, and graphite. There are hints of classic Pauillac tobacco and lead pencil, but it's locked and loaded at this point. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and flawlessly balanced on the palate, it has lots of tannins, a good spine of acidity, and a great finish. It doesn't have the sexy opulence of the 2015 and 2016 yet has more minerality, and I suspect it's every bit as concentrated. A solid decade of bottle age is going to be warranted, and this powerful, concentrated Mouton is going to evolve for longer than most of us reading this will be alive.

The Wine Cellar Insider

100

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Dark red ink in color, the wine exudes Asian spice, espresso, smoke, cigar box, walnuts, cocoa, blackberry and red currant aromas. If you can pull yourself away from seeking additional nuances in the perfume, the wine hits your palate with waves of sensuous, decadent, velvety, dark red fruits and spice that clock in at over 60 seconds. Think of 2018 as a better version of 2009, with more concentration, silkier tannins, additional levels of purity and opulence. Even with all this voluptuousness, the wine is energetic and intense. The blend comes from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, 13.8% alcohol.

Vinous

97

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Mouton-Rothschild needed 2–3 hours before I began composing a single word. Eventually it unfolds with the same aromatics that I observed out of barrel: extraordinarily pure blackberry, blueberry, pressed violet petals and potpourri. It still has the alluring Margaux-like florality. The palate is medium-bodied with filigreed tannins, disarmingly satin-like texture and wonderful cohesion. This is a sophisticated Mouton-Rothschild that is maybe less ostentatious than other recent vintages, but well aware of its class and breeding; it knows that there is no need to show off. The precision on the finish is riveting. Assessing it over many hours to plot its evolution, I wager that this First Growth may well drink earlier than I anticipated, so give it 5–6 years in bottle. Chapeau to retired winemaker Philippe Dhalluin and his team.

Wine Spectator

98

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

This large-scaled wine is brimming with cassis and distilled plum fruit that’s remarkably pure, focused and driven in feel, supported by a seamless, iron-clad and remarkably polished structure, doing its job without detracting from the fruit. Add in sparkles of savory, racy floral and sanguine accents, as well as some pretty ridiculous length, and you have another battleship of a wine in the making. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2050. –JM

Falstaff

99

byPeter Moserthe1/29/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Farbkern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Edelholzwürze, zart nach Zedern, frische, rotbeerige Nuancen, feiner Cassisanklang, feine Tabaknuancen, noch etwas reserviert. Saftig, reife Herzkirschen, angenehme Fruchtsüße, reife, seidige Tannine, lebendige Struktur, mineralisch, balanciert, wirkt bei aller Komplexität sehr leichtfüßig und finessenreich, bereits gut entwickelt, feinwürziger Nachhall, sehr große Länge. (2025 – 2070)

Wine Spectator

98

byJames Molesworththe1/26/2021

This large-scaled wine is brimming with cassis and distilled plum fruit that’s remarkably pure, focused and driven in feel, supported by a seamless, iron-clad and remarkably polished structure, doing its job without detracting from the fruit. Add in sparkles of savory, racy floral and sanguine accents, as well as some pretty ridiculous length, and you have another battleship of a wine in the making. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2050. — JM

Yvesbeck.wine

99

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Que de grâce et de puissance dans ce bouquet qui annonce d'entrée un grand vin. Beaucoup de fruits noirs, de notes lactiques, de sureau et de fraîcheur grâce à des nuances de menthe. La mise en bouche est dense, élégante, puissante mais également suave. Les tannins, eux, se révèlent petit à petit, avec beaucoup de précision pour atteindre leur amplitude en fin de bouche. Ils sont suaves, charnus et affichent une belle finesse de grains. Finale intense, d'une exceptionnelle persistance. Ce Mouton offre un grand potentiel et il rentre clairement dans la cour des très grands Moutons avec un charme qui évoque le millésime 1982.

Jamessuckling.com

100

byJames Sucklingthe1/20/2021

Exquisite purity of black currants, raspberries and some citrus. The aromas flow from the glass. Full-bodied with seamless tannins that coat the palate and then fall into the center, to deliver a thoroughly refined and harmonious young red. Endless finish. 86% cabernet sauvignon. This is the new 1959, one of the legendary vintages of Mouton.66 Try after 2026.

Decanter Magazine

100

byJane Ansonthe11/10/2020

This has so much tannic power, with density, layers and structure along with layers of blackberry, liquorice, baked earth, cigar box and the signature exotic spices of Mouton. A big, textured and complex wine that is taking it all in its stride. 100% new oak. There is the tiniest touch of Petit Verdot in the blend, but under 1%, so it’s not in the official figures. 62% of production went into the grand vin. 3.78pH. 88IPT. The artist for this vintage is Xu Bing.

Drinking Window 2028 - 2050

Vinous

95-97

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Mouton-Rothschild is blessed with a glorious and extremely pure bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberries, touches of blueberry and pressed violets, almost Margaux-like in style. As usual, the new oak is seamlessly integrated. There is an undercurrent of exoticism here, but it is very discreet and never overshadows the DNA of Mouton. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine line of acidity and layers of opulent black fruit. This is one of the more extravagant Mouton-Rothschilds in recent years, a little sweeter on the finish compared to the previous two vintages, yet maintaining freshness and tension. It will be irresistible in its youth, although it will benefit from a decade in bottle.

WeinWisser

20

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe5/1/2019

The 2018 Mouton Rothschild is dense and unctuous in the glass, with striking textural depth and plenty of overall intensity. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice, leather and sweet spice infuse a Mouton that stands out for its unctuousness and fruit intensity. There is plenty of tannin, but it is nearly buried by the sheer voluptuousness of the fruit. In 2018, Mouton is radiant, sensual and impeccable in its balance, even if it doesn't possess the sheer visceral thrill, energy or pedigree of truly great vintages. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

Representing 76% of the total production, the 2018 Mouton-Rothschild checks in as 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc brought up in new oak. The most backward and reserved of the First Growths, this deeply colored beauty boasts a rich, layered bouquet of blackcurrants, graphite, scorched earth, and liquid violets. Deep, full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it's more elegant than the opulently styled 2016, but it’s still an incredibly powerful and promising Mouton that’s going to live for half a century or more. 96-98+

Vinifera

97-99

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Composé à 86% de Cabernet sauvignon et de 12% de merlot avec le solde en cabernet franc, il se distingue par par un corps vigoureux, frais, d'une très belle tenue, à lévolution continue, bâti sur un tanin juteux et que parachève une très belle finale soutenue.

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Opaque in color, the purple black hue is gorgeous. The perfume with its sea salt, lead pencil, blackberry liqueur, black currants, tobacco, spice and smoke is a knockout! That will keep you busy enough but it is on the palate where you'll really experience the wine as it hits and coats every nook and cranny in your mouth. The wine is lavish, dense, concentrated and showy. The naturally flamboyant nature of Mouton Rothschild comes though loud and clear. Even with all this voluptuousness, the wine is energetic and intense. The finish remains with you for well over 60 seconds. Clearly, the 2018 is going to be one of the great vintages of Mouton ever produced. The blend comes from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc and reached 13.8% alcohol. The harvest took place from September 10 to October 3, the Grand Vin represents 66% of the harvest with very low yields of only 28 hectoliters per hectare.

Wine Advocate

97-99

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Mouton Rothschild is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc—there is also a splash of all the Petit Verdot they had, but it doesn’t even register in the percentage. Grapes were harvested September 10 to October 3, and the wine was blended at the beginning of December; it has 13.8% alcohol, and the tannins were slightly higher this year. Deep purple-black in color, it is a little closed to begin compared to some 2018s, slowly unfurling to reveal a profound nose of warm black plums, blackcurrant cordial, star anise, blueberry pie and mocha with suggestions of candied violets, oolong tea, camphor and unsmoked cigars plus a touch of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers waves of opulent, spiced black and blue fruits with seamless acid lifting this gorgeous mouthfeel that is at once plush from the ripe fruit and firm and grainy from the super ripe tannins, finishing very long and wonderfully creamy.

Decanter.com

99

byJane Ansonthe4/17/2019

This has incredible persistency and density of flavour in 2018. It’s extremely well knitted with everything drawn out and taut through the mid palate, slowly layering on the succulent, plump notes of damson, juice-filled blackberries, charcoal, menthol, cigar box, pencil lead and black chocolate that is a signature of the vintage.

I always love that this property shares the same gravel-filled plateau as Lafite and yet the two have such different personalities and interpretations of vintages – with Mouton here absorbing the richness of the year and adding a touch of glamour into the wine as always.

The alcohol, while still very balanced compared to most in the vintage, is unusually high at Mouton because, as managing director Philippe Dhalluin says; ‘usually the poor soils at Mouton mean the grapes make tannins but not sugar, but in 2018 they made both’.

There is the tiniest touch of Petit Verdot in the blend but under 1% so it’s not in the official figures. 100% new oak which has been beautifully integrated. 62% of production went into the grand vin. 3.78pH. 88IPT. The artist design for the 2018 label will be revealed later.

Wine Enthusiast

97-99

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

This wine is ripe and juicy, packed with black fruits and generous tannins that sit on a velvety texture. It is dense, concentrated and intensely structured in bold tannins, but still the purity of the dark shines through.

Jamessuckling.com

100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

I am a little bit speechless about this one. I have not seen such earthy and totally deep character of the soil in a young Mouton in my career. Of course, I didn’t taste 1945 or 1959 when they were young, but I have been lucky enough to have a few bottles in my life. There is really terroir-driven character to this. Layered and so intense with polished and incredible tannins.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

99

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Yvesbeck.wine

98-99

byYves Beckthe4/1/2019

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Pourpre violacé. Que de finesse et de complexité. D’abord le nez s’affiche de manière filigrane, multifacettes. Il se révèle au fil des secondes et commence par présenter le terroir au travers de cèdre et de graphite. Le fruit se révèle par des notes de mûres et de cassis. Beaucoup de fraîcheur. Finalement je relève un peu de café, de torréfaction, mais dans une mesure filigrane. La mise en bouche est gracieuse, élégante, subtile et imposante. Les tannins se révèlent tout doucement, lentement et sont subtilement puissants ! Ils assurent idéalement les arrières, confèrent une touche suave et promettent un avenir brillant. Encore une fois, un très grand Mouton. Beaucoup de finesse et de persistance. 2025-2052