Château Mouton Rothschild 2012

As for the 2012 Mouton Rothschild, one can’t help but love the artist’s label, in this case done by Miquel Barceló, of two rams fighting for superiority. Representing only 49% of the crop, this blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc has an inky bluish/purple color, which is far darker than its nearby neighbor, Lafite Rothschild, or even Pontet-Canet. Multi-layered, with rich, concentrated, crème de cassis fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and stunning purity, this is a major success in 2012. Definitely a bigger, richer wine than rival Lafite Rothschild, Mouton’s 2012 seems to have more density as well. The tannins, however, remain soft and well-integrated. This wine should drink well for 25-30 years and is somewhat of a sleeper for a 2012 first-growth Médoc.

This is starting to mellow already, featuring dark fig and blackberry notes liberally infused with black tea and smoldering tobacco accents. Shows a light loamy echo through the finish, with a flash of menthol. Offers ample flesh throughout, with a slightly grainy edge to the tannins. -- Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017). Best from 2020 through 2040.

Real depth and individuality, with a lovely fruit core and length on the palate. A pure and beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from a top-class vineyard.

What a nose of blackberries, blackcurrants, minerals and graphite. Full-bodied and extremely fine and polished. Sexy and ethereal. Harmony. A little salty. Fabulous 2012. Pure silk. Better after 2020 but so wonderful now.

Very heavy bottle! Intense, glamorous nose with real density and pizzazz. Sweet end. Neat and convincing first-growth quality. (JR)

The 2012 Mouton Rothschild continues to open up nicely. Forward, open and quite expressive, the 2012 looks like a wine that will drink well sooner rather than later. Dark cherry, plum, graphite, smoke and mocha meld into the inviting finish. The 2012 is not a huge wine, but it will open up sooner than some of the surrounding vintages. Time has only been a help for this open-knit, distinctly fruit-driven Mouton. The 2012 is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc harvested during the first fifteen days of October.

Deep ruby in color, with secondary aromas already peeking out of the perfume with truffle, tobacco, leaf, cedar wood, vanilla, cassis, blackberry and a peppery note. Full-bodied, lush and velvety, with a long, palate-caressing finish, this is another winner in a long line of wines for Philippe Dhalluin. Made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the grapes were picked on the late side from October 1 to October 15.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicate nutty background with notes of wild black berries, hints of liquorice and cassis, tobacco nuances. Juicy, ripe black berry fruit, firm, well-anchored tannins, finesse-rich acidity, salty nuances, lemony touch on the finish, red cherries on the back palate.

Pure and dark-fruited nose of cassis, dark cherry, fine oak, coffee, and spices. Very nice density, purity and definition, great purity of Cabernet Sauvignon, intense and lingering finish, well-endowed tannin, great potential.

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet highlights at the rim. Plenty of blue fruits, damson-like Damassine plums, a mineral sheen, fine woods, milk chocolate, layered, hinting at a touch of just-ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, a demanding tongue-tannin grip, a fitting yet insistent structure, the extract still slightly rough; in the finish, finally the famous Mouton cassis, though not as intense as usual. A rather lighter-feeling Mouton that strongly reminds me of the youth of the 1985, albeit in a more precise vinification style. And it wasn’t the only wine that spontaneously brought the 1985 vintage to mind…

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet hues on the rim. Plenty of blue fruit, Damassine plums, a mineral sheen, fine woods, light chocolate; multilayered, conveying a hint of just-ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, a demanding tongue-coating astringency, fitting yet insistent tannic muscle, still slightly rough in extract; the finish finally brings the famous Mouton cassis, though not as intense as usual. A rather lighter-feeling Mouton that strongly reminds me of the youthful 1985, naturally with more precise winemaking. And it wasn’t the only wine that instantly brought the 1985 vintage to mind… (18/20). 14: A somewhat lighter Mouton but with plenty of gorgeous, almost perfumed cassis notes. Shows very delicate sweetness. I tasted it a week before bottling at Mouton.

(90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc) Dense, velvety, elegant, complex bouquet with black cassis, black blackberries, mint, tobacco, roasted notes. Velvety, creamy, powerful, sweet palate with fresh fruit, plenty of fine tannins, dense structure, multifaceted, sweet finish with good aftertaste. Can improve further. 18/20 2020 - 2045

Tender tannins, grilled cedar, gunsmoke and cigar box welcoming you in. The fruits are raspberry purée, black cherry layered with smoked caramel, rose petals and violet, sprawling out of the glass, waves of flavour alongside crushed rock minerality. This is so well judged, showcasing how in the less 'perfect' vintages the First Growths really earn their stripes. Excellent quality, and as is signature with the vintage, will be ready earlier than the more concentrated years. Harvest October 1 to 15, with just under half of the overall production in the 1st wine. 100% new oak for ageing.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Mouton Rothschild gallops out with bold, energetic notes of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, and sandalwood, leading to hints of underbrush, charcuterie, and cedar chest. Medium-bodied, the palate has a taut structure of grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the muscular fruit, finishing very long and lifted.

Mouton-Rothschild is a lovely, supple and charming wine with great allure and real depth; the tannins are fine with beautifully ripe fruit. The ripeness was pushed to the maximum with great precision, making it one of the finest—if not the finest—Médoc wines of the vintage.

Deep ruby red with garnet highlights. Elegant, well-defined bouquet: cocoa, coffee, licorice. Fruity touch, dense and complex. As it opens up, the nose shows notes of strawberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant. Elegant, compact, silky attack. The palate has generous breadth, intensity, and a creamy character. The tannins emerge slowly and are delicately grainy. I think this is a great Mouton, as it has plenty of grace and tannins, in symbiosis with the structure, capable of offering a beautiful evolution.

You can’t miss it on the nose, with a smoky note returning like never since 2001. The palate lacks power. The wine slides along without edges, showing a lovely burst of fruit and plenty of flavor. Note that decanting hardens the wine by reinforcing the tannin on the finish. It is therefore better not decanted. However, this vintage lacks stature. You can enjoy it while it’s still on the fruit.

This is a beautifully opulent wine, great Mouton in its richness and succulent fruits. It's combines structure and obvious new-wood aging with hugely ripe black plum and currant flavors. While it is a pleasure to taste now, there is a great tannic structure in the background to give the sense of power and aging potential. Drink from 2024.