Château Mouton Rothschild : Aile d'Argent 2023

Ripe-fruited, exotic, citrusy, with spice from the high Sémillon proportion; a delicate palate, crisp, fresh, mineral-driven, vertical, slender, light-footed yet powerful. Something serious is happening here in white.

Grated ginger, preserved lemons against sharper citrus zest, juicy white peach, elderflower, white pepper, sage, pink peppercorns, balanced and mouthwatering. This is such a clever mix of bright vivid fruits and creamy brioche notes. 3.3 pH, harvest August 22 to 31. 45% new oak for ageing, 16 hl/ha yield, no malolactic in this vintage, Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy director. A single point upgrade from En Primeur.

Score: 90–92. Aromas of pear sorbet and rhubarb candies, highlighted by hints of precious metals, lead into a limpid, fluid, vanilla-tinged palate marked by vibrant acidity.

A lovely fruity nose—fresh, straightforward, precise. It shows notes of fresh quince, fresh nectarine, and, more subtly, fresh white grapefruit, with fine touches of white flowers and honeysuckle, plus a discreet hint of quenette and acacia blossom, and an imperceptible almost saline note. The palate is attractively mineral, fruity, gourmand, and precise, perfectly balanced, with lovely juiciness and bright fruit, a subtle crunch in the background, a savory edge, and fine sapidity. It reveals notes of juicy/fresh nectarine, fresh quenette, and, more delicately, crushed small white fruits, joined by a touch of kumquat and fresh quince, as well as a discreet hint of toasted almond, fresh-toast nuances, and a subtle saline/iodine note. Beautiful freshness and juiciness, supple, with a slight spherical feel. A subtle almost toasted/saline note lingers on the finish.

Lovely sweet, rich nose, some honeyed notes with dried flowers, lemon balm, tangerine and oyster shell. Ripe and clean, a great balance of soft sweet lemon and peach with stony apricot and touches of lime. A great initial burst of flavour with high acidity giving a mouthwatering freshness. Clean and precise, fresh, finessed and deep. 0.5% Muscadelle completes the blend.

Honeysuckle, white peaches, orange rind, and vanilla aromatics pop in the nose. Vivacious, energetic, and creamy, with the perfect honey accent that adds complexity to all the sweet, ripe, juicy, fresh, yellow citrus and pineapple. You can enjoy this on release. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 0.5% Muscadelle. Drink from 2025-2033. 94 Pts.

Yellow-green color. The nose is intense and refined, fruity, suave and minty. The palate is at once rich, opulent and full of sap. It develops with freshness, with a slightly minty finish. An overall impression that’s impossible to spit. Blend: 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 44.5% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris, 0.5% Muscadelle. Alcohol: 13.5% – pH: 3.20. Yield: 40 hl/ha. Aged in 45% new oak barrels. This wine will be bottled in June 2024.