Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2023

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Cuban cigars, blackberries, flowers, smoke, espresso, spice, fruitcake, licorice, roasted nuts, and currants are a treat in the perfume. The palate offers layers of energetic, long, deep, fruits with a racy edge. The wine builds as it lingers with the fruit moving from red, to black, and back to red, with a refreshing sprig of mint, a touch of chocolate, and a dash of spice, adding to the complexity. The key to the vintage initial heat spell in August helped propel the grapes to phenolic ripeness. The ability to wait for the moment of their choice, allowing for a longer hangtime for the Cabernet played a major role this year. The wine blends 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. Only 2010 had more Cabernet in the blend. 13.3% ABV, 3.79 pH. The harvest took place September 7 - September 30. Drink from 2030-2065."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is the most structured Mouton since the great 2016, with tannins that start slowly and then take off. It’s muscular and toned. It’s full-bodied but doesn’t come across too heavy. It builds up in intensity and goes on and on and on. It just keeps expanding. I took a double take here. 93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot."

WEINWISSER: "93 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 % Merlot, 13.3 Vol.-%, pH 3.79, Lese vom 7.- 30. September. Verführerisches, dicht verwobenes Bouquet, schwarzer Johannisbeernektar, Veilchenparfüm und dunkles Edelholz. Im zweiten Ansatz Schokopastillen, Graphit und edle Cassiswürze. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, energiegeladener Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, edler Salznote, „sapidité“ und geradlinigem Körper. Im konzentrierten, nicht enden wollenden Finale Wildkirsche, Estragon und tiefschürfende Terroirwürze. Der zweithöchste Anteil an Cabernet Sauvignon, der jemals im Grand Vin verwendet wurde. Der höchste lag 2010 bei 95 %."

DECANTER: "Gorgeous red and black fruit on the nose, ripe strawberries, cherries and blackcurrants, really fruit forward and expressive, not so much on the mineral or floral side. Smooth and supple, this is agile and has great movement. A sense of life, depth and richness, but this is so suave. The fruit and tannins fill the mouth but with wonderful coolness - blueberry and crisp cherry. Lots of liquorice and wet stones also come through; graphite, chalk, mint, a touch of toastiness on the finish. It has flashes of exoticism, as well as finesse. Structure and seriousness but with bounce, full of texture and nuance. Tannins have built a broad wine and this is a real success with lots of energy and vibrancy throughout but with no harsh acidity or too lean tannins. Stylish, characterful and executed very well. 11% press wine, last year was 17%. 93% Cabernet in the blend, second highest in history after 2010 which was 94%. 75 IPT. 40% grand vin production. A potential 100-point wine."

VINUM: "Diskret, mit Noblesse und Tiefe, Rauch, Zartbitterschokolade, Minze über klarer Frucht. Am Gaumen mit Rasse und Schliff, wie aus dem Stein gemeisseltes Tannin, markante Säure, ein Wein voller Leben, Dynamik und Eleganz."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Pulled from just 40% of the production, the 2023 Château Mouton Rothschild is based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot that will see 18 months in new barrels. Tasting like the blood of Cabernet with its smoky red, black, and blue fruits, tobacco leaf, graphite, and cedar-driven aromatics, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, polished, layered mouthfeel, beautiful concentration, and ripe, velvety tannins. Not the massive style of the 2022, it’s more in line with the 2016. This rich, elegant, seamless 2023 will need a decade to hit its prime."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Edelholzwürze, schwarze Waldbeeren, zart nach Brombeeren und Lakritze, tabakige Nuancen. Saftig, elegant, feine rotbeerige Noten nach Preiselbeeren, seidige, feine Tannine, frische Säurestruktur, angenehme Kirschfrucht im Abgang, saliner Nachhall, bleibt haften, ein lebendiger Speisenbegleiter, ein Hauch von Cassis im Rückgeschmack."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Mouton Rothschild needs considerable swirling to coax out notes of freshly crushed blackcurrants and wild blueberries leading to touches of clove oil, lavender, star anise, and black truffle with a hint of wild sage. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound, with a firm frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, with pH 3.79, and an alcohol of 13.3%."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Aromas of crème de cassis and dark berries mingled with pencil shaving, espresso roast and violets introduce the 2023 Mouton Rothschild, a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy wine with a creamy core of ripe but lively fruit, sweet tannins and an expansive finish. In terms of parcels, the 2023 is quite different in origins from the 2022, favoring plots that are better-drained rather than those resistant to drought. It's a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, without either Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot featuring in the blend, and it attained 13.3% alcohol."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Pure Cabernet-cassis aroma. Juicy and gourmand on the palate but with a steely tannic frame behind. Good density and still tightly wound. Will need time. Drink 2035 - 2055."