Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2006 owc

Château Mouton Rothschild is one of the five First Growths of the 1855 Classification, based in Pauillac on the gravelly plateau overlooking the Gironde. The estate was acquired by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild in 1853 and became Château Mouton Rothschild; in 1973, after a long campaign by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, it was elevated to Premier Cru Classé. The vineyard is dominated by deep gravel soils, with Cabernet Sauvignon providing the structure, aromatic depth and longevity for which Mouton is known. The 2006 growing season was hot and generally dry, with a particularly warm June and September. After a cooler August, a hot first half of September accelerated ripening, and the estate harvested from 20 September to 5 October, producing fully mature, healthy fruit. The 2006 label was designed by the English painter Lucian Freud.

The 2006 is composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot, with the Cabernet giving the wine its characteristic cassis, graphite and tobacco profile, while the Merlot adds breadth and texture. Mouton’s grapes are hand harvested and rigorously sorted before parcel-by-parcel vinification, followed by maturation in new French oak for around 20 months. At 20 years old, this is now in a compelling mature phase, with blackberry, blackcurrant and plum developing into cedar, tobacco, graphite, incense, grilled nuts and subtle savoury notes. The palate remains full and powerful, but the tannins have gained polish and the fruit is beginning to sit comfortably within the wine’s secondary complexity. Recent assessments place it firmly in its drinking window, with guidance extending from the 2030s into the 2040s and beyond for well-stored bottles. This particular bottle is supplied in its original wooden case (OWC), directly from cellars in Bordeaux, offering excellent provenance.