Château Mouton Rothschild 2009

The 2009 Mouton-Rothschild is as concentrated as the 2010, but it presents itself in a more consumer-friendly, seductive style. Opulently textured and full-bodied with gorgeous levels of crème de cassis, melted licorice, espresso roast and chocolate, it possesses high but sweet, velvety tannins, massive body, and fabulous purity as well as length. This could turn out to be a candidate for perfection in another 8-10 years. It will drink well for 30-50 years, but will always be much more approachable and charming than its 2010 counterpart.

This will always be a great contrast to the dark power of the 2010, sporting lush layers of fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture, carried by velvety tannins, flowing through a long, anise-, tobacco- and cocoa-fueled finish. Not shy on grip, but much rounder and plusher in feel. Hard to resist now, but there's absolutely no rush. -- Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017). Best from 2020 through 2050. 16,000 cases made.

The texture is the most striking thing on this wine, right from the attack. It rolls out a carpet of silk and welcomes you in, and displays the gourmet edge that Mouton does so expertly, with blackberry, black cherry, crushed blueberries and garrigue. It has a softness that makes it not necessarily signature Pauillac, but certainly signature Mouton, with the ripeness of the fruit tempered by firm, brushed tannins and a core of controlled acidity. Crushed mint leaves appear on the finish. Multi-layered and brilliant.

With a ton of ripe blackcurrant and some bitter chocolate, this is a rich and rather opulent wine that still retains a delightful freshness and has a long, positively dry finish. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

The 2009 Mouton-Rothschild has a more refined bouquet compared to the 2009 Latour, with scents of blackberry, graphite, undergrowth and hints of pressed rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded entry. The intense black fruit is laced with pencil shaving and white pepper notes (indeed, the tip of the tongue tingles after the wine has exited.) This is a multi-dimensional First Growth with a very persistent finish. Mouton-Rothschild? Bingo. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

Everything that makes Mouton Rothschild one of the world's great wines is here in spades. Incredible levels of concentration with an opulence not found in other Pauillacs create the backdrop here. Unctuous, velvety, rich, and palate-staining, there is an exotic edge to the texture, countless layers of perfectly ripe fruit, purity, and a spicy edge that sets you up for a seamless finish that lasts more than 60 seconds. As good as this is, patience is going to be a virtue here, as this is only getting started. Drink from 2029-2075.

Pure perfection, and reminding me slightly of the 1982, the 2009 Château Mouton Rothschild boasts an opaque ruby hue as well as an incredibly perfumed, sexy, seductive style in its ripe currant and cassis fruits as well as new saddle leather, spicy oak, smoke tobacco, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. Complex, full-bodied, and beautifully concentrated, with sweet tannins, this masterpiece is already impossible to resist yet won't hit full maturity for another decade and will evolve for 50-60 years if well stored.

Dense, dark ruby with a deep core and purple highlights, light edges. An unbelievably profound, elegant bouquet with wonderfully enticing black-berry notes, joined by noble woods, the purest vanilla, dark chocolate, fine smoky and mineral nuances, plus velvety licorice—what an awesome Pauillac, pure terroir expression. If you want to know what defines a great, open Grand Cru, this is the perfect example. This wine alone was worth the trip. Here, terroir meets pure elegance, complemented by ultra-fine tannins that come together in a creamy, very delicate astringency; the entire array of aromas peaks in a powerful finish tasting of fresh blueberries and the finest Arabica cream.

88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot. Approx. 33 hl/ha. Thus about 200,000 bottles. Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet-black highlights. Not a massive bouquet, but an elegant, extremely black-berried, very multi-layered nose showing fine woods, dark chocolate, delicate smoky notes, vanilla pulp and a lot of licorice; this time it tends a bit more toward terroir than immediate fruit, even though a massive yet still restrained black-berry cocktail is found in the bouquet. On the palate, pure elegance, endowed with ultra-fine tannins that meld into an almost creamy astringency; around mid-palate all the flavors gather and shape into a tremendous finale that tastes like chopped fresh and dried blueberries and carries a hefty portion of dark malt and mocha. The direction points toward 1961. Undoubtedly the best Pauillac! Whether Lafite and Latour can catch up will only become clear in 10 or even 20 years. (20/20). 19: Deep, extremely dense purple, with a lightening rim. Clearly toasty bouquet, lots of dark bread crust, ripe plums; currently a bit reserved, hard to fathom. Does the palate offer more than the nose? On the palate, fine, elegant, distinct umami traces and stag leather; the tannins seem subtly mealy and show a certain grain. For now it doesn’t know how to stand out, and next to Latour it had no chance. I have to adjust it slightly and thus there would be a lot of in-house Mouton competition in the 19/20 category from other vintages at more advantageous prices. Time will tell what the future holds. For now: 19/20. But I still leave it at 20/20 for potential. 14: A veal snack at the Erzegg on the Melchsee-Frutt. At least the meal was inexpensive. Showing an intoxicating sweetness and tannins that literally taste of pralines and blackberry jelly. Lots of sweet drive and already sex appeal.

Interesting to taste this vintage alongside the 2015, as the two have much in common – both generous, opulent and seductive, with tannins that are abundant but deceptively supple. Signature Mouton, muscular architecture, delivering cocoa bean, cedar, crème de cassis, fresh mint, liquorice, crayon, orange zest and pomegranate, celebrating a still-youthful expression of the juicy blackberry and cassis fruits, and a testament to this exceptional vintage. This was drunk over dinner, and certainly tasted wonderful, but it has decades ahead of it, and will just keep on getting better. 100% new oak, Philippe Dhalluin director.

Tasted just after bottling, it confirms its status as a great success. This is a very complete wine—creamy and silky, yet powerful and focused. The fruit is crisp and the tannic structure is perfectly integrated. A legend for the cru.

Dense attack, compact mid-palate, tannic, a touch of firmness, lovely length. The wine is dense, very concentrated, with tannins that are not ultra-fine.

For the second time this month, Mouton 2009 is showing particularly well. Dark, intense color with slight evolution. A great nose reminiscent of Graves, with a creamy undertone. Finely mellow on the attack, superb breadth and silkiness mid-palate, very flavorful; the wine caresses the palate and glides through to the finish, deep, noble, with brightness of flavor and an incredibly plush tannic definition. Don’t hesitate to open it, even though it will age for a long time. Tasted non-decanted.

Inviting nuances of ripe cherries and fresh figs, a hint of nougat caramel, fine oak savouriness with some bourbon vanilla. Juicy, complex, ripe, dark berry fruit, good fruit expression, polished, ripe tannins, mineral on the finish.

97-99 Barrel sample. A wonderfully structured wine,it combines impressive purity of fruit with delicious, mouth-watering acidity, The dry structure holds this elegant structure perfectly in place. A great success.