AWARDS 98 Wine Enthusiast
"This is a powerful and dense wine, with ripe and rich berry fruit notes. It’s balanced, showing strong tannins in harmony with concentrated fruit. It is rich, generous in texture and sure to age well. Barrel Sample: 96-98"
93 Robert Parker`s Wine Advocate "The 2013 Mouton Rothschild is the best of the Medoc first-growths in this vintage. It was the smallest crop at Mouton since 1969, even smaller than their 1991. Only 45% of the crop made it into the final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. One of the few 2013s to reveal serious depth, it displays a dense saturated ruby/purple colour along with spicy creme de cassis, liquorice and forest floor characteristics. Elegant, medium-bodied and more concentrated than most of its peers, it even reveals some tannins, suggesting 2-5 years of bottle age may be needed. It should last for 15-20 years. Range: 91-93"
Château Mouton Rothschild spans 90 hectares (222 acres) of vines to the north-west of Bordeaux, on the edge of the Médoc peninsula, itself situated, as its name indicates, in medio aquae, amid the waters: those of the Gironde estuary to the east and of the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Médoc vineyard, which dates back to Roman times, now covers around 16,500 hectares (41,000 acres). The vines are planted on a narrow strip of land 80 km long and 5 to 10 km wide, close to the river, which irrigates the soil in-depth and moderates differences in temperature. Bordering the northern limit of the Landes forest, the Médoc benefits from the mildness of the ocean climate while also being protected from its excesses.
Climatic conditions2013 will be remembered for its changeable and capricious weather. A cold and damp winter followed by a cool and wet spring held back the vegetation cycle and affected flowering. In striking contrast, July and August were particularly hot and sunny, with considerably less rainfall than the average. Peak temperatures of 38° C caused violent storms in late July.
The water shortage continued in September, encouraging the grapes to ripen evenly. The Cabernets were promising and overall the grapes achieved satisfactory sugar levels with good potential acidity.
The harvest at Mouton Rothschild was completed in record time between 30 September and 9 October with exceptional help from employees of the family company Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, who were invited to come and swell the ranks of the regular pickers. Over 130 staff members responded to the appeal, and on 9 October 695 meals were served in the harvesters’ refectory, a record!
Sorted with painstaking care, the grapes were transported from the picking crates to the gravity-fed vats in the magnificent Mouton Rothschild vat room. In a major innovation, transparent staves in the vats enabled technical staff to observe the vinification process in minute detail.
Although yields were among the lowest of the last 40 years, draconian selection ensured high quality. The 2013 vintage has been tended, fashioned and fine-tuned to get the very best out of the grapes.
Tasting Notes: A warm and delicious Mouton with light spice, currant, and hints of chocolate. Very subtle and refined. Full to medium body. Seamless tannins that dissolve on the finish. Wonderful length for the vintage. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, and 4% cabernet franc. Salty and delicately fruity. Better in 2020 but beautiful now.
Food Pairing: Beef and Venison
Parker - The 2013 Mouton Rothschild is the best of the Medoc first-growths in this vintage. It was the smallest crop at Mouton since 1969, even smaller than their 1991. Only 45% of the crop made it into the final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. One of the few 2013s to reveal serious depth, it displays a dense saturated ruby/purple colour along with spicy creme de cassis, liquorice and forest floor characteristics. Elegant, medium-bodied and more concentrated than most of its peers, it even reveals some tannins, suggesting 2-5 years of bottle age may be needed. It should last for 15-20 years. Kudos to administrator Philippe Dhalluin.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - Wine Advocate -
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