Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 92
The 2006 Mouton Rothschild is dark, powerful and intense, with firm tannins that need time to soften. This is an especially dark, somber Mouton. Dark black fruit, smoke, menthol gravel and cured meats are some of the signatures. Slight vegetal notes underpin the fruit. I am not sure the 2006 has enough freshness to be a long-term ager or the depth of fruit to outlast the tannins. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot, harvested between September 20 and October 5.
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2031
Neal Martin 93
The 2006 Mouton Rothschild is a vintage that I have not encountered for some time. Compared directly with the 2008, it is deeper in colour. Aromas of dark blackberry and Dorset plum are quite intense. Just a touch of liquorice emerges with time and becomes more mentholé with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, quite fleshy in the context of the vintage, but I appreciate its silver thread of acidity. With gentle but insistent grip and satisfying sapidity on the finish, this Mouton-Rothschild is drinking perfectly now and might surpass modest expectations. Tasted at 67 Pall Mall, a few days later at the château and at the Heart’s Delight charity masterclass.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2045
Vinous 96+
Bright ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of cassis, blueberry, cedar and graphite. Wonderfully pure and silky in the mouth, with great subtle, slow-building intensity and superb energy and thrust. A real essence of cabernet sauvignon and Mouton terroir This one really rattled my brain-in the gentlest way. As silky as it is, it possesses bottomless depths. Finishes with big but noble tannins and outstanding length. I loved this wine the spring after the harvest, and it’s even more impressive today. This should go on for decades, but today it’s hard to imagine this wine going through an extended sullen stage. By the way, I’m a great fan of Lucien Freud’s work, but his label for this wine does not do justice to the juice inside the bottle.
Wine Advocate 96
Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2006 Mouton-Rothschild was really the wine that put winemaker Philippe Dhalluin on the map, in the sense that unlike the 2005 born in a great vintage, this 2006 had to transcend it. It remains one of the standouts of the growing season and actually replicates previous showings just the week earlier and in January. As expected, the nose has quite brilliant delineation with blackberry, graphite, here an almost cold slate-like scent. The palate is harmonious with the carefully judged acidity, fine-grain tannin and immense detail on the finish. Recent bottles suggest that it may close up for several years, in which case, either enjoy this in the next few months or cellar this for a few years and receive vinous dividends down the line. Tasted May 2016.
Anticipated maturity: 2023-2055
