1998 Mouton Rothschild
By Chateau Mouton Rothschild
1998 Mouton Rothschild from Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux
An illustrious wine that has never shied away from the limelight, the 1998 Mouton Rothschild from Chateau Mouton Rothschild offers a compelling chapter in the legacy of this iconic Bordeaux estate. This vintage emerges as a testament to the diligent craftsmanship of the vintners amidst the challenges presented by the climatic tapestry of the year.
Deciphering the Vintage Narrative
As one navigates through the vintages of Pauillac's aristocracy, the 1998 vintage stands apart with its own unique tale. After a fluctuating growing season, marked by a humid spring and a summer skewed by episodes of rain and dry spells, meticulous vineyard management was paramount. The result was a harvest that yielded grapes endowed with depth and complexity, sculpting the profound character of this legendary wine.
Captivating Complexities
In my recent tasting, the 1998 Mouton Rothschild unfolds an olfactory bouquet replete with an integrating symphony of aromas. A mélange of blackcurrant, hints of cedarwood, and delicate touches of exotic spices pave an invitational prelude to its liquid narrative. The palate reciprocates with a rich tapestry of flavours: dark berries interlace with whispers of leather and an earthiness reminiscent of Pauillac's hallowed terroir.
Sipping this mature wine feels akin to perusing through pages of Bordeaux's vinous history. It retains an admirable structure with tannins now softened yet asserting their original vigour in silent echoes. Balanced acidity perpetuates its longevity, assuring investors of its resolute capacity to endure gracefully within their cellars.
An Investment-worthy Parisian Muse
The 1998 Mouton Rothschild endures as one of Pauillac’s distinguished creations – an artistically inspired label gracing the bottle is but a mere hint at the masterstroke contained within. For those curating their portfolios, this vintage represents not only a wise wine investment but also an opportunity to own an integral piece of Bordeaux's vinous tapestry. Its endurance is one to admire and welcome into any esteemed collection.
Market price (SGD)
$7,620.00
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
268.24
Scores and tasting notes
Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 1998 Mouton Rothschild is deep garnet-brick in color with lovely crème de cassis, dried roses, hoisin and baking spice notes with underlying notions of dried cherries and mulberries plus touches of wood smoke, incense and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied and packed with rich fruit framed by firm, chewy tannins, it is stacked with complex, evolving flavors and finishes with incredibly long-lasting perfumed notes. According to winemaker Philippe Dhalluin, this needs about three hours of decanting at this stage. I simply love the place this wine is in right now, possessing plenty of mature, tertiary characters yet still sporting bags of fruit. It won’t be fading anytime soon either and should cellar nicely for 20-25+ more years.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 31 May 2018
Like many of its peers, the 1998 has filled out spectacularly. Now in the bottle, this opaque black/purple-colored offering has increased in stature, richness, and size. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc (57% of the production was utilized), it is an extremely powerful, super-concentrated wine offering notes of roasted espresso, creme de cassis, smoke, new saddle leather, graphite, and licorice. It is massive, with awesome concentration, mouth-searing tannin levels, and a saturated flavor profile that grips the mouth with considerable intensity. This is a 50-year Mouton, but patience will be required as it will not be close to drinkability for at least a decade. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #134 April 2001
Tasted at the Claret Club Mouton-Rothschild dinner. The 1998 Mouton has a very deep garnet hue. The nose has good intensity and fine definition with blackberry, cassis, graphite and a touch of sous-bois. The palate is tight at first...”a dense ball of Pauillac stubbornness” are the exact words that I wrote. But it unwinds nicely: graphite and cedar interlacing the black fruit, almost brutal towards the finish that needs more persistency. This will been another 4-5 years in bottle. Tasted November 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2011