2006 Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux
Critics reviews
The 2006 Mouton Rothschild is dark, powerful and intense, with firm tannins that need time to soften. This is an incredibly dark, sombre Mouton. Dark black fruit, smoke, menthol gravel and cured meats are some of the signatures. Slight vegetal notes underpin the fruit. I am not sure the 2006 has enough freshness to be a long-term ager or the depth of fruit to outlast the tannins.
The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot, harvested between September 20 and October 5.
Drink 2018 - 2031
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (May 2016)
The breadth and depth of this wine is impossible to ignore. Tobacco notes blend with cappuccino, cedar and grilled almonds. This is classy, with just the right amount of abandon. Grilled black fruits are very Mouton but with the touch of austerity and pulled-in, pared-down tannins that tell you it’s 2006. Complex and complete.
Drink 2018 - 2040
Jane Anson, Decanter.com
Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2006 Mouton-Rothschild was really the wine that put winemaker Philippe Dhalluin on the map, in the sense that unlike the 2005 born in a great vintage, this 2006 had to transcend it.
It remains one of the growing season's standouts and replicates previous showings just the week earlier and in January. As expected, the nose has quite a brilliant delineation with blackberry and graphite, here an almost cold slate-like scent. The palate is harmonious with the carefully judged acidity, fine-grain tannin and immense detail on the finish.
Recent bottles suggest that it may close up for several years, in which case, either enjoy this in the next few months or cellar this for a few years and receive vinous dividends down the line.
Drink 2023 - 2055
Neil Martin, Wine Advocate (January 2017)
Lucian Freud label. Dark crimson. Refined, lifted, elegant nose with masses of polish. Sweet palate entry and very confident terroir-determined nose. Dry finish. Very appetising. Racy. Prescient in a way because this is the style of wine people are looking for now. Lead-pencil flavours. Dry tannins in the background. Food please!
This will never be massive, but the balance is great.
Drink 2020 - 2040
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (March 2016)
This is an eye-opener with a tight core of complex fruit character and subtle chocolate and spices. Full body, firm tannins and a classy finish. Holding back. Much better than expected. A vintage forgotten.
Better in 2018
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (March 2015)
The best first growth of the year? I have always believed so, right out of the Primeurs. Ruby, but with a garnet rim (much less impenetrable colour-wise than the 2005), with brightly floral strawberry and red cherry nuances along with savoury underbrush and a hint of cèpes. Very suave, long and polished.
Drink 2016 - 2045
Ian D'Agata, Decanter.com
About this WINE
Château Mouton Rothschild
A first growth in the 1855 Classification, Château Mouton Rothschild has a long and storied history; wine has been made here since Roman times.
The estate has been in the Rothschild family since 1853, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1922 that its fortunes were transformed. Baron Philippe was a dynamic figure who revolutionised the estate and was the first to introduce château-bottling as early as 1924. He also introduced the concept of commissioning an artist to design each new vintage’s label. Some of the most notable contributors include Salvador Dalí, Henry Moore, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, and Anish Kapoor.
His daughter Baroness Philippine continued to help raise the estate to new heights with numerous endeavours, including the inauguration of a new vat house in 2013. Today, her three children, Philippe and Camille Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, continue the efforts of their predecessors.
Following the retirement in 2020 of Philippe Dhalluin, the winemaking team is now headed up by Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy. With his team, he oversees over 83 hectares of vines, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), Merlot (18%), Cabernet Franc (3%), and Petit Verdot (1%). The average age of the vines is around 50 years.
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Description
The 2006 Mouton Rothschild is dark, powerful and intense, with firm tannins that need time to soften. This is an incredibly dark, sombre Mouton. Dark black fruit, smoke, menthol gravel and cured meats are some of the signatures. Slight vegetal notes underpin the fruit. I am not sure the 2006 has enough freshness to be a long-term ager or the depth of fruit to outlast the tannins.
The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot, harvested between September 20 and October 5.
Drink 2018 - 2031
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (May 2016)
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