Château Mouton Rothschild 2014

The 2014 Mouton-Rothschild was closed at first when I tasted the wine in bottle with winemaker Philippe Dhalluin. But as it transpires, this First Growth is just toying with you. Initially quite understated, it responds to aeration like a young child peeking from around a corner and then running out, waving its hands. It suddenly hits you with gorgeous black cherries, bilberry, cedar and wilted rose petal. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth entry. This is utterly seductive: a wine without a hair out of place. It is not as powerful or as complex as the 2015 Mouton-Rothschild, yet the precision and focus here is beguiling. It will require five to seven years to absorb the 100% new oak, then it will be an utterly delicious and, to use a term employed at en primeur, “cerebral” First Growth that is destined to give two or three decades of pleasure.

Sleek and racy in feel, with a sanguine edge leading the way, backed by gently mulled currant and blackberry fruit. Lovely tobacco and iron notes thread through the finish, though the fruit easily has the upper hand. Pretty acidity stitches the finish, with the tannins fully absorbed. -- Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017). Best from 2025 through 2045.

Strongly scented with dried herbs and dark fruits. Streamlined and linear, this is quite straight at this point, a nice initial fruity, juicy burst with high acidity – red cherries and blueberries – with prominent mineral edges to the well integrated tannins. It's very well done, precise, but isn't so impactful on the palate. Missing some expansion a little – stylish but still very serious and focused, so not as much easy enjoyment on offer as some but still an exceptional wine in the making. Will definitely continue to age and improve.

Incredible iodine, oyster, currants, peat and cedar. Yet subtle. Full body, chewy yet polished tannins, and great depth and complexity on the finish. I love the spice and blueberry character on the finish. Vibrant. A sexy style of Mouton. Try drinking this in 2022.

An exciting, beautifully layered wine, the 2014 Mouton Rothschild is one of the clear highlights of the vintage. A stunning interplay of crème de cassis, graphite, menthol, sage, mocha, dark chocolate and leather engages all the senses. The 2014 is dark, voluptuous, racy. Above all, it conveys a complete sense of balance. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Reserved at the moment, but with patience, coaxing, and 3 hours of air, you begin to see its rich, Asian spice-filled, currants and dark fruit character shine through. I would wait a few more years before popping a cork, or give it 4 hours of decanting before service. Drink from 2027-2055.

Unquestionably one of the great wines of the vintage, the 2014 Mouton-Rothschild offers more flamboyance, depth, and texture than just about every other release out there. Crème de cassis, violets, lead pencil, and ample creamy oak notes all emerge from this incredibly sexy, concentrated 2014 that has a terrific mid-palate, sweet tannin, and a great, great finish. Not far off the incredible 2015, it can be enjoyed anytime over the coming 3-4 decades, although 3-5 years of bottle age should do it good.

Dense ruby red, firm core, medium rim, plenty of Cabernet spice, Petit Verdot, expansive, broad, concentrated palate, extract sweetness, firm tannins, dark roasted notes, lots of herbal spice, long cassis finish. 18.5/20

THE BEST PAUILLAC FIRST GROWTH – BUT NOT THE BEST PAUILLAC 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple, dense core, garnet glints at the rim. While Lafite and Latour were almost silent, this Mouton chatted away, fresh and cheerful. The bouquet shows spontaneous violet notes, cassis and blackberry blossom. The whole is not insanely powerful, but very aromatic and fairly layered. On the palate it continues exactly as on the nose, with the aromas repeating one-to-one. The tannins radiate plenty of sweetness; the wine is medium-bodied in tendency and very focused from start to finish. A wine that can truly delight and move. The other two Pauillac Firsts did not do that at all. Only the tannins show, in the mid-palate, some muscle and a slightly astringent edge. This will need to be integrated into the body over the coming months. It lingered for minutes on the palate with its comforting black-berry fruit taste, and that will likely remain so in future. This is a great Pauillac – not only for label collectors. For me, it is the best First Growth in the Médoc. And it would also be the best Pauillac if it weren’t for the sensational Pichon-Lalande.

(81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc) Dense, velvety, finely opulent, sweet bouquet; blackcurrant, black berries, liquorice, cedar, After Eight, flint. Dense, velvety, elegant, sweet palate with a creamy, powerful structure, plenty of fine tannins, diverse dark aromatics, graphite, very long, full finish with sweet after-flavours. 19/20 2023 - 2045

The grilled character on the opening beats is more campfire than gunsmoke, just a little warmer and more evident than with Lafite, meaning both estates are very much staying true to their character. Here you get waves of peony and rose petals, with raspberry and damson fruits, feels expansive and complex, punctuated by orange peel, pomegranate, leather, espresso, black tea, sweet smoked caramel, with plenty of lift and caressing tannins. Delicious, and growing into a spectacular wine as it ages. 100% new oak, Philippe Dhalluin director.

The 2014 Mouton Rothschild is deep garnet-brick in color. Notes of crème de cassis, cigar box, and forest floor open out to nuances of crushed rocks, new leather, and truffles. The medium-bodied palate delivers muscular black fruits and a firm frame of grainy tannins with seamless freshness, finishing long and layered. Tasted blind with the Southwold Group in London in February 2024.

It confirms its greatness and the splendid breed of its palate. With sovereign balance, a wrapped tension and plenty of brilliance, this is an ultra-refined Mouton.

A vibrant, spicy nose revealing notes of blackberry-raspberry, rosemary, mint, and violet. On the palate, meters upon meters of fluid silk unfold, seemingly without end. With remarkable charisma and great finesse, this wine seems to float across the palate as if walking on water, with black chalk notes on the long finish.

Garnet red with violet highlights. Complex, subtle bouquet. Elegant notes of blackberry and blackcurrant. With aeration, the aromatic intensity gains in breadth and complexity. Notes of cedar, graphite, dark chocolate and caramel. On the palate, the attack is compact with good aromatic intensity. The body is generous, with a fine structure that supports the fruit well. The latter shows most clearly on the finish. The tannins are elegant, well-wrapped, and in harmony with the acidity. A Mouton that shines by its ability to combine power and harmony, and that will gain aromatic expression over the years. Wait

The nose is fine, powerful and pure. It reveals lovely notes of wild berries and blackberry, with subtle hints of blackcurrant, a discreet touch of violet, delicate spicy nuances and a faint hint of Cuben pepper. The palate is fruity, juicy and balanced, offering a lovely acid frame (on red fruits), a pleasing roundness, purity, straightness, beautiful definition, deliciousness and great elegance. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of crisp strawberry and subtle notes of blackcurrant and Boysenberry, combined with a fine touch of fresh raspberry, delicate hints of blueberry, caramelized oak, a discreet hint of nutmeg and a fine hint of tobacco. The tannins are fine and well-handled. Good length and an endless persistence on touches of crisp strawberry/red-fruit acidity.

Beautiful deep, dark red. Very aromatic nose with pure fruit, and a hint of blackcurrant and smoke. Caressing on the attack, the wine unfolds very fruity, flavorful, and fleshy. From mid-palate, the sensations build, gaining momentum, and the wine becomes powerful, fruity, smoky, long, and noble. It’s very good.

The label of this vintage is designed by David Hockney in memory of Philippine de Rothschild. It is a powerful wine in the rich style of Mouton with strong black-currant fruits from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is dense and dark, ready to age for many years. Drink this impressive wine from 2026.