Château Mouton Rothschild 2011

The evolved, fresh, mid-weight 2011 Mouton-Rothschild is charming and complete. It is an over-achieving effort in a challenging vintage with supple tannins, notes of cedarwood, forest floor, underbrush, licorice, graphite and red and blackcurrants. Medium-bodied, lush and sexy, it can be consumed over the next 10-15+ years.

Tight, focused and very well-built, this shows the quality of this sleeper vintage. Built on tannins that have a twinge of austerity, this offers ample flesh to the dark currant, fig and blackberry fruit. Bramble, tobacco and loam accents fill in through the finish, which has a lingering tug of dark earth at the very end. This one may never be a charmer but it has aging potential for sure. -- Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017). Best from 2021 through 2045.

There is a lightness about this vintage of Mouton Rothschild. It doesn't take away from its quality but does give the wine poise and an attractive lift. The wine is based on solid tannins, then the ripe fruit builds layers of fruitiness and freshness. It is not likely to be one of the longest-aging Moutons, but it will be delicious. Drink from 2020.

Brings together the florality of Armailhac and the dense fruit of Clerc Milon, all with the volume turned up. Clear concentration and structure here, powerful Pauillac tannins and a juicy finish - easily one of the wines of the vintage in Pauillac. And despite the challenges of the vintage, it has plenty of seductive Mouton signature - touches of gourmet edging, smoke, liquorice, bitter chocolate shavings, pencil lead, a ton of Pauillac character. It is well measured and grips through the palate. Harvest 12-28 September. We were at a time here when Mouton could barely put a foot wrong, great stuff from Philippe Dhalluin.

This is now a little tight but shows firmness and raciness with pretty austerity. Full and tight with silky tannins and a long, fresh finish. Firm acidity is holding it back. Needs two or three years to open. Better in 2018.

Dark crimson with a smudgy rim. Fragrant with both red and black fruit and a light toasty oak note. Smells sweet, fragrant and gentle. Pretty gentle on the palate too, sort of smudgy soft tannins. Lacking vitality and it's a bit smudgy and lacking precision. Notably toasty. (JH)

The 2011 Mouton Rothschild is dark, powerful and concentrated. Plum, grilled herbs, smoke, graphite and mocha are all nicely delineated in the glass. The effects of the hot, dry weather are felt in the wine's roasted flavors and hard tannins that reflect the heat stress of the season. I suspect the 2011 will have its day of glory once the tannins soften, but that day is a ways off in the future. Readers should expect to be patient with the 2011. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, brought in between September 12 and 28.

Cassis and gravel in the nose, that become further complicated with notes of cedar wood, tobacco, black raspberry and cigar box accents. The wine has a gritty, polished sensation on the palate, with loads of fresh, sweet, round textured, blackberry and dark plum notes in the finish. With bottle age, this could score higher. The wine was made using a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. This is the first time since 2005 that Mouton has included any Cabernet Franc in the blend. The grapes were picked between September 12 to September 28.

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Dark currant notes with tobacco and herbs, subtle animalistic notes, a fine touch of wood and cedar with small red berries in the background, hints of lime zest. Complex, very fresh, wild black berries and dark cherries, the tannins still need some time, mineral and lemony aftertaste, not yet ready for consumption, still somewhat astringent and vegetal on the finish, some caramel and toffee on the aftertaste.

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with a violet sheen at the rim. Sweet, expansive bouquet with lots of sandalwood and cedar, red cherries, and that famous Mouton cassis character; noble and elevated on the attack. Velvety on the palate, a plush, velour-like texture with beautifully full, sweetly expressive tannins. Unlike the Lafite and Latour en primeur tastings, here you clearly know what to expect in about 12 years: a beautiful “Singing-Mouton”! (18/20). 21: Powerful, very dark wine red, deep purple. Intense, complex bouquet with clear toasted notes, coffee, cassis, dried plums and malt. Imposing on the nose, radiating a clear Cabernet sweetness. On the palate, both fleshy and substantial, showing astonishing concentration. Tasted blind, I would have pegged it as a greater vintage. A wine that exceeds expectations. Or was it ultimately a question of terroir on the Médoc side? It has developed very well and offers great pleasure now and likely for at least another 20 years. Compared to the barrel sample, I’m happily rounding the score up. It was the most expensive wine of the evening—at around 500 francs, you’re in. (19/20).

A powerful, dense, velvety, sweet bouquet: cassis cream, cedar, dark tobacco, Black Currant, toasty notes, licorice. An elegant, tightly knit, powerful palate with creamy fruit, plenty of fine tannins, an intense, dark, sweet aromatic profile, and a velvety structure. Long, dense, full finish with sweet notes on the back palate. 19/20 drink through 2048.

A fresh, elegant Mouton—perhaps even a touch lively—quite uncompromising, very linear, with great elegance. It will go far.

The bouquet of Mouton 2011 reveals itself slowly, showing different facets. It opens with notes of coffee, chocolate and caramel before ultimately unveiling nuances of dark berries and eucalyptus. Complex and elegant on the palate, the wine boasts fine density. It is perfectly supported by a lively, juicy structure that emphasizes the persistence and freshness of the finish, while the fleshy tannins provide breadth.

The nose is elegant and refined, offering beautifully fine texture, delicate power and depth. It reveals notes of ripe small red berries, blackberry and, more subtly, violet, alongside fine hints of grey pepper/Cubeb pepper, lily, discreet touches of tobacco, minerality and very subtle hints of nutmeg. The palate is fruity, fresh and elegant, with fine definition, a sense of indulgence, a lovely texture and a delicately tangy, fine acid-driven thread. On the palate, the wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy raspberry, fleshy/juicy cherry and, more subtly, violet and blackberry, combined with delicate touches of tonka bean as well as hints of caramelisation and chocolate. The tannins are elegant. Good length and persistence.

Logo on the cork: M Deep, intense, vivid color. A very aromatic nose, fruity, smoky and toasty. Delicate on the attack, flavorful on the mid-palate, with a present, silky body; the wine glides into a long, delicate, fragrant finish. It’s very good.