Mouton Rothschild 1985

Mystery Wines. In the largest of the tastings of 1985 California cabs, there was a mystery wine in each flight. Following are my notes on these wines and what wine I thought each was. Yes, I know, this wine cannot possibly merit a score this low. But the purpose of this report is to share in the most candid fashion as possible my impressions and raw tasting notes. As I indicated earlier I mistook the 1985 Field Stone Statton Family Reserve for the Mouton. I thought the Mouton was a relatively light, fully mature 1985 California Cabernet. My notes read, "herbal, spicy, ready to drink, sweet, round, attractive, but straightforward and not very concentrated." I cannot believe this wine did not perform better, but it did not show well in this flight of 10 1985 California Cabernet Sauvignons. It was blown away by the likes of the Groth regular bottling, Spottswoode, Caymus Special Selection, Field Stone, and Joseph Phelps Eisele Vineyard. C'est la vie.

Score: 85 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

The rich, complex, well-developed bouquet of oriental spices, toasty oak, herbs, and ripe fruit is wonderful. On the palate, the wine is also rich, forward, long, and sexy. It ranks behind both Haut-Brion and Chateau Margaux in 1985. I am surprised by how evolved and ready to drink this wine is. Readers looking for a big, boldly constructed Mouton should search out other vintages, as this is a tame, forward, medium-weight wine that is close to full maturity. It is capable of lasting another 15+ years. This estate compares their 1985 to their 1959, but to me it is more akin to their 1962 or 1953.

Score: 90 Robert Parker, 'Bordeaux' 3rd Ed. Maturity: 1997-2012