Like other great houses such as Lafite or Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild in Paulliac (Médoc) can look back on a long history. The estate was given its current name when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired it in 1853.
The breakthrough to a top wine estate is primarily due to his great-grandson Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who managed the Château from 1922 onwards.
Another fact for the potential million-dollar question: Mouton Rothschild is the only château whose classification was raised after the 1855 classification - from Deuxième to Premier Cru in 1973.
The vineyard, which covers around 90 hectares, is located on a gravel layer more than eight metres thick over a chalky subsoil. Due to the poor soil, the plants have to root deeply. The gravel stores the heat of the day and at the same time ensures optimum drainage. Overall, these are ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for 81 % of the plantings here. It is followed by Merlot (15 %), Cabernet Franc (3 %) and Petit Verdot (1 %). This ratio does not necessarily reflect the varietal proportions in the cuvée, but the tannin and flavour-rich Cabernet with its typical cassis note always dominates, balanced by the suppleness of the Merlot. According to the motto "Mouton ne change pas", this profile should always be maintained or strived for as a trademark.
The impressive fermentation room extends over two floors, so that all transport is carried out gently by gravity. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels (44) and in steel tanks (22), separated by parcel. New barriques are used for the ageing process, which lasts around 20 months.
Since 1945, the labels have been designed by different artists - including Salvador Dalí (1955), Andy Warhol (1975) and Niki da Saint Phalle (1997).
© Photos: Château Mouton Rothschild
