2017 Mouton Rothschild
By Chateau Mouton Rothschild
2017 Mouton Rothschild from Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux
In the tapestry of Bordeaux vintages, the year 2017 stands as a testament to the resilience and mastery of winemaking. Although faced with challenges, including the frost which impacted many, the 2017 Mouton Rothschild from Chateau Mouton Rothschild emerged triumphant, showcasing the alchemy between diligent viticulture and the unique Pauillac terroir.
The Vintage's Voice: Clarity amid Adversity
The 2017 vintage was indeed a crucible of climatic tests, yet in such vintages true craftsmanship shines. The 2017 Mouton Rothschild wields its character with an engaging clarity. This vintage intertwines ripe blackcurrant with pencils shavings and violets, revealing layers that whisper tales of its birth; a year marked by struggle yet overcome by the precision and expertise of those at Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
Investment Worthy Elegance
For aficionados and investors alike, this is a bottle that offers both cellar-worthy potential and a narrative of victory over Mother Nature's less generous moods. In investment circles, it is acknowledged that certain years offer opportunities for discerning collections to acquire wines with stories to tell—and with the acclaimed lineage of Chateau Mouton Rothschild underpinning its provenance, the 2017 iteration is one such compelling narrative.
The poise of finely knit tannins and the flourish of dark cherries enrobed in aromatic herbs signify a wine from Pauillac that divulges its complexity with confident restraint. It's a vintage that requires contemplation—best to appreciate both the craft behind its creation and envisage its future evolution with patient anticipation.
To conclude, amidst the variegated backdrop of Bordeaux's lineage, the 2017 Mouton Rothschild beckons with its distinct tale of triumph—that rare and magnificent confluence where heartening provenance meets astute wine investment potential. A piece de resistance from Chateau Mouton Rothschild that will not only kindle the senses but will age with an aristocratic grace worthy of any discerning portfolio.
Market price (USD)
$4,810.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
218.89
Scores and tasting notes
This is a very shy and tight Mouton with blackberries, blackcurrants and hints of terracotta. Full body and very integrated tannins that are extremely polished and beautiful. Spicy and white-pepper finish. Sexy and exciting. So long and refined.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
The 2017 Mouton Rothschild has one of the highest percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon ever at 90%, with 9% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Very deep purple-black in color, the nose is already singing of crushed black currants, warm blackberries and chocolate-covered cherries with hints of violets, star anise, cinnamon stick and cloves plus wafts of pencil lead and unsmoked cigars. Medium-bodied, wonderfully delicate yet intense in the mouth (gaining some richness in the mid-palate on my second taste two and a half weeks later), it has super fine-grained, smooth tannins and incredible freshness, finishing very long with tons of tightly wound layers. Wow. This vintage is going to be very long-lived in the cellar!
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
The 2017 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal notes of warm black plums, baked black cherries, kirsch and freshly crushed blackcurrants with hints of candied violets, cinnamon toast, Ceylon tea and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate is charged with amazing energy, featuring dynamic black and red fruits and loads of baking spice and mineral sparks, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing long and fragrant. Given the intensity of fruit and structure, while this is a relatively elegant Mouton that will be approachable early on, I don’t see it as being short lived. It should give pleasure for a good 40+ years.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 31 October 2019
The 2017 Mouton-Rothschild was picked from 7 to 29 September and matured in 100% new oak. This First Growth is driven by the Cabernet Sauvignon, as you would expect given the high percentage, expressive pencil lead and cedar that infuse the slightly introspective black fruit. Dare I say that it actually reminds me of Latour in style? The palate is medium-bodied, finely tuned and precise, a more masculine Mouton-Rothschild compared to the last three vintages, fresh with a sustained, lightly spiced finish that lingers in the mouth. That backbone is accentuated more during my second visit in mid-April. It is a cliché but this Mouton-Rothschild is unashamedly “classic” in style, perchance “le petit frère” of the 2010 Mouton-Rothschild that also contained a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon (though before you search the archives, yes, the 2011 and 2012 contained the same proportion!) Tasted twice with consistent notes.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18
The 2017 Mouton Rothschild is a powerful wine for the year, probably because of the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Dense and closed in on itself, the 2017 is likely going to require quite a bit of time to soften. Raspberry jam, pomegranate and blood orange add lift and perfume with time in the glass. There is quite a bit of energy and brightness in the 2017, but not as much immediacy as is common for the vintage. That may ultimately turn out to be a positive for the wine's long term prospects. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. "After the frost, which did not really affect us, the major challenge in 2017 was heat stress," Mouton Technical Director Philippe Dhalluin told me. "We had no rain until the end of June. Then, in September, when we needed a bit of rain again, we got more than double what would have been optimal. The September rain affected the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, while the Cabernet Sauvignon was able to take advantage of the last 15 days of the growing season, which were much more favorable. In the cellar, we opted for longer macerations at lower temperatures, as we wanted to avoid extracting the type of hard tannins that mark other vintages with very dry summers, such as 2011."
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18