Chateau Mouton Rothschild
The Rothschild family is renowned: not only for its financial influence but also for its extraordinary winemaking. Their most celebrated estates, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild, stand as icons in Bordeaux. The latter achieved lasting fame as being a newcomer in 1973 in the Bordeaux classification system.
The Origin of the Name
Although the Rothschild coat of arms depicts two rams, the name “Mouton” does not actually come from the French word for sheep. The animals were chosen simply as a nod to Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s zodiac sign, Aries. The true origin lies in the old French word motte, meaning a small hill.
In the early days, the estate was known as Château Brane Mouton, named by Joseph de Brane after both himself and the slow rise of land where the vines grew. About a century later, Isaac Thuret acquired the property and, in 1853, sold it to Nathaniel de Rothschild. Nathaniel renamed the estate Château Mouton Rothschild—a name that endures to this day.
The 1855 Classification
When Bordeaux’s wines were ranked in 1855, Château Mouton Rothschild was placed in the second tier (Deuxième Grand Cru Classé). The family disagreed with this ranking but never formally contested it. The estate had suffered from years of neglect under the previous owner, a fact that probably influenced the verdict.
Decades later, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who took control in 1922, resolved to right this historical oversight. After years of persuasion and holding on, he achieved success in 1973, when Mouton Rothschild was reclassified as a First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé). It was an unprecedented decision—the only change ever made to the original list of 1855. Since that day, the label proudly bears: “Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change” (“First I am, Second I was, Mouton does not change”).
White Wine Production
Since 1991, Château Mouton Rothschild has also produced a fine white wine known as Aile d’Argent. Created from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle, half of its production is matured in new oak barrels. The vineyard was planted by Baron Philippe’s daughter, Philippine, in the 1980s, who got inspiration from her father’s tale about a magical silver-winged teapot—“Aile d’Argent” meaning “Silver Wing.” During the Second World War, Philippe, then imprisoned, wrote this tale in full. It was later published by Gallimard, one of France’s most esteemed publishing houses.
Artistic Wine Labels
A defining hallmark of Mouton Rothschild wines is their tradition of featuring unique artwork on each vintage’s label. This idea originated in 1924 with Jean Carlu, a notable poster artist, though it became an annual custom in 1945. Since then, luminaries such as Picasso, Dalí, Karel Appel, and Prince Charles have all contributed artwork. Artists are not paid a fee; they ae paid with cases of wine from that vintage.
One of the most talked-about designs was the 1993 label by Balthus, which depicted a nude figure. The American authorities banned its distribution, prompting Baroness Philippine to release a version with a blank label for the U.S. market.
Visiting Château Mouton Rothschild
Unlike many historic Bordeaux estates, Château Mouton Rothschild welcomes visitors by appointment from Monday through Friday. Reservations are essential, often made weeks or months in advance. Guests enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour guided experience that includes a tour of the cellars, a visit to the Museum of Wine in Art, and a tasting of the château’s wines.
Best Vintages
Over the decades, Château Mouton Rothschild has produced numerous outstanding vintages. Among the most celebrated are 1945, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1986, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2016. The 1945 vintage holds special significance, representing te victory and the end of World War II. Its label bears a large “V” for victory—marking the renewal of the artistic label tradition—and the wine itself received a perfect 100 points from critic Robert Parker. Today, this vintage commands prices well above €10,000.
The Museum of Wine in Art
The château is not only known for its wines, but also for the museum that is located there, created in 1962 by Philippe and Pauline de Rothschild inside a former barrel hall. The museum was inaugurated by André Malraux, then Minister of Cultural Affairs. It houses a remarkable collection of art and historical items, including ivory carvings, textiles, fine jewelry, and porcelain from Persia and Japan—all connected in some way to wine and viticulture.
Vineyards and Grapes
The estate’s 90-hectare vineyard is primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), complemented by Merlot (15%), Cabernet Franc (3%), and Petit Verdot (1%). The exact blend changes with each vintage, but Cabernet Sauvignon always dominates. The vines average 50 years in age, and grapes from younger vines—under 15 years old—are typically excluded. Some Cabernet Sauvignon vines are over 120 years old, among the oldest in Bordeaux.
Secondary and Signature Wines
In the early 20th century, certain weaker vintages were bottled under alternative names, including Carruades de Mouton Rothschild and Mouton Cadet. In later years, Mouton Cadet became an internationally recognized brand under Philippine de Rothschild, offering approachable Bordeaux wines. In 1994, the château introduced its official second wine, Le Petit Mouton, named after Baroness Philippine’s residence.
The Broader Rothschild Wine Legacy
The Rothschilds’ wine portfolio extends far beyond Bordeaux. The family owns or co-owns several notable estates, including Château d’Armailhac, Château Clerc Milon, and international ventures such as Opus One in California—founded by Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi in 1978—and Viña Almaviva in Chile, launched in partnership with Eduardo Guilisasti of Concha y Toro. In 1998, Philippine also acquired Domaine de Baronarques in Languedoc.
Meanwhile, the French branch of the family, descending from Baron James de Rothschild, remains the steward of Château Lafite Rothschild, along with other estates such as Château Duhart-Milon, Château Rieussec, and Château L’Évangile. Their properties are grouped under Domaines Barons de Rothschild, a name synonymous with excellence in winemaking worldwide.
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