Mouton Rothschild 2005

Pauillac, First Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2005 Château Mouton-Rothschild is a deeply impressive First Growth. It has been blessed with a sensational nose that comes racing out of the blocks with audacious scents of black fruit, cedar, smoke and pencil box (Philippe Dhalluin mentioned that the signature smokiness/fireside hearth was tangible in around 80% of the vats during élevage). There is a sense of bravura here, of aristocracy. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous black fruit, perhaps beginning to soften in texture, one or two years off its plateau. There are layers and layers of black fruit intermingling with graphite and black pepper, and it wisely reins everything in on the finish that is more classic in style and in keeping with the vintage. If you are fortunate enough to have this wine in your cellar, even though those tannins are starting to be abraded by time, afford it another five or six years.

Score: 98

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2050 31 January 2017

The Château Mouton-Rothschild 2005 has a perfumed, quite floral bouquet with very pure blackberry and wild strawberry scents, mint and a touch of undergrowth and with time a little menthol. The palate is medium-bodied with red berry fruit, allspice, dried orange peel and even a hint of garrigues towards the finish. It feels just a step or two more advanced than the other First Growths but it remains a fantastic Mouton from Philippe Dhalluin. Ignore at your peril.

Score: 97

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2055 01 February 2015

Tasted blind against its peers, this brilliant Mouton-Rothschild trumped both Latour and Lafite! If it lacked the same level of breeding out of barrel, then it sure as hell is making up for its now. The nose is incredibly ripe and is perhaps more accessible than those aforementioned Pauillacs. Dark cherries, kirsch, cedar and some lovely vanillary new oak - sleek and sophisticated. Great definition. The palate has a viscous entry, fat round tannins, voluptuous, generous and sensuous. Great depth with blackberry, raspberry, a touch of black olive tapenade. Sensuous, feminine finish. Sublime. Drink 2017-2040+

Score: 98

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2040+ 01 July 2009

This accelerates on the palate with incredibly ripe tannins and finesse. Full body, roasted fruit, leather and grilled meat. Dried flowers, too. It shows superb tannin backbone and polish. Tight and youthful. Just starting to open. Currant and berry undertones with lead pencil are impressive. Better in 2018 but so delicious now.

Score: 98

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2018+ 15 October 2015

Dark purple black in color. Complex aromas of mineral, licorice, lead pencil and blackberry follow through to a full body, with ultrafine tannins and a caressing, pretty finish. Has a lovely texture. Shows elegance and refinement. Best after 2012.

Score: 95

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+ 31 March 2008

Lots of currants, berries and minerals and light toasted oak on the nose. Full-bodied and very refined, with lots of silky tannins and a long finish. Elegant and fine. Very pretty. But should be up with the rest of the first-growths. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Score: 92 - 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

The 2005 Mouton-Rothschild has developed magnificently, and is even better than I remember. The final blend was 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Stunning notes of crème de cassis, melted asphalt, roasted espresso and cedarwood are present in this young, full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Mouton. Just beginning to enter its adolescence, it should hit full maturity in 10-15 years and last for 50 or more. The greatness of this vintage is increasingly apparent as the wines throw off their cloaks of tannin. (99+ Points)

Score: 99

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024-2065 01 December 2014

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot, the dark purple-hued 2005 exhibits a restrained but promising nose of cedar, tobacco leaf, creme de cassis, and toasty oak. Full-bodied, tannic, and extremely backward, with the vintage’s tell-tale acidity, it appears to be even more closed in the bottle than it was from barrel. It does possess a long finish and multilayered mouthfeel. This is an undeniably outstanding, yet restrained, shy wine for a Mouton Rothschild.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040+ 01 April 2008

A superb Mouton, the 2005 is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. Under the new administrator, Philippe Dalhuin, the strictest selection of any recent vintage was instituted (64% of the production was used), and the 2005's 13.5% natural alcohol is one of the highest ever achieved at this estate. While not as good as the 1986 or 1982, the 2005 is a brilliant wine offering a classic inky/blue/purple color along with notions of creme de cassis, licorice, and sweet oak. Full-bodied, powerful, and exceptionally pure with good underlying acidity as well as a boatload of tannin, it will approach full maturity between 2015-2020, and should keep for 40 years.

Score: 93 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2047 30 April 2007

The 2005 Mouton-Rothschild (a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc) tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol, one of the highest percentages ever achieved at this estate. It does not possess the power or awesome depth of the 1986 or 1982, but it may represent a modern-day clone of the 1955. A tannic, backward, concentrated, powerful Mouton built for the ages, it will require 10-15 years to reach its full potential. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by classic notes of creme de cassis and smoke, but no trace of new oak. That in itself is a good indication of how rich and concentrated this wine must be to have absorbed all its oak at this stage of its evolution. One might also term it 1996-like in style given its fresh acidity and bright personality. Medium to full-bodied, impeccably elegant, powerful yet subtle and reticent at present, it will be extremely long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2050 30 April 2006

This wine was included to give a context. A blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Attractive sweet oak spice and char over a lovely fresh cassis fruit aroma, with a very slight meaty note. Toasty flavours over fine-grained, rich tannins but a bit flat on the mid palate; needs time to take on flesh. (18.5+ Points)

Score: 18 - 19

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2030 21 September 2009

Full ruby-red. Explosive, superripe aromas of black raspberry, currant, graphite and tobacco leaf. Outsized, opulent and generous; this big boy saturates the entire mouth. There's an almost exotic character to the plum and cedar flavors. Spreads out impressively on the back end, coating the palate with ripe tannins. The 2006 is at once finer and more powerful, with more noble tannins, but this is more opulent.

Score: 95

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008

13.1% alcohol compared with the more usual 12.3-12.8%. Just 64% of the crop went into the grand vin, so this is the smallest production of the grand vin for 25 years (not counting 1991 and 1977 which suffered such extreme weather conditions). Extremely deep crimson. Blackish tinge. Very dense and an interesting edge to it but, unusually, intensely sweet for a Pauillac first growth. Even hints of tar and game. Not as dense as some. Very raw at the moment - lots and lots fruit. The tannins are much less marked than on most - perhaps because the fruit is so ripe. Silky texture - but the overriding impression is one of sweetness. Bigger than the 2004 served immediately after but Mouton 2004 looks awfully good, if quite forward, now.

Score: 18 - 19

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2032 11 April 2006

New winemaker Philippe Dhalluin has been brought in to ensure that quality at Mouton Rothschild consistently achieves its full potential as realised in vintages such as 1982 and 1986. To this end the 2005 will be the smallest production ever with 60% of the harvest destined for the Grand Vin. The 2005 is strongly Cabernet Sauvignon - 85%, 14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. A very exotic nose with super-ripe black fruit, tar, molasses and sexy oak character. Impressive concentration of ripe fruit with a buttered texture and a strong tannic framework. A decadent and dramatic Mouton.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 01 January 1900