2019 - Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac

The 2019 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little broody to start off, soon unfurling to offer notes of creme de cassis, baked plums, and boysenberry preserves, followed by hints of crushed rocks, tree bark, and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich, concentrated, and intense, with grainy tannins and a long, lively, mineral-sparked finish. This is still so youthful - moving at a glacial pace - so, give it a good 7-9 years more in cellar and drink it over the following 40-years+.

Takes the character of Petit Mouton and turns it up. Has layers of black cherries dipped in bitter chocolate and coffee with turbo powered tannins and lift. Freshly crushed mint leaf on the finish. A ton of depth, not as creamy as the 2018 Mouton was at this stage, this is more espresso than cappuccino, with layers of vertical tannins that are generous but in control, not willing to give too much away, and it will close down for a good few years. A great Mouton, pure, precise, linear, tight and vertical, making you wait for the kirsch laden opulence but absolutely delivering on its En Primeur promise. Harvest September 18 to October 5. 100% new oak.

The 2019 Mouton-Rothschild is more backward on the nose, graphite and pencil shavings infusing the black fruit, broody at first yet gaining intensity in the glass with each swirl. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine depth, lightly spiced with a vibrant, slightly peppery finish. Impressive weight and length and unequivocally, a long-term proposition. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.