CHATEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD

Découvrez nos millésimes CHATEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD

Mouton Rothschild, a Chateau with a worldwide reputation and a visionary, artist's touch 

 

The rich history of the iconic Chateau Mouton Rothschild 

The history of Chateau Mouton Rothschild naturally began among the world's great chateaux. In the 18th century, the Marquis Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur jointly owned the estates of Lafite, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. 

In 1853, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired the Chateau from the Marquis. This is how Chateau Mouton Rothschild officially took its name and became a family wine estate. 6 generations of Rothschilds have succeeded one another on the estate.

 

Baron Philippe de Rothschild, a brilliant strategist

Baron Philippe de Rothschild, though sensitive to art and poetry, was no less a man of action. His genius and vision left their mark on the history of Bordeaux wine, and he led a revolution at Mouton Rothschild. He was behind some of the most important strategic decisions: in-house bottling, the construction of a winery, the creation of a nurturing and marketing structure, the inauguration of a wine museum, and the development of a new wine cellar; the inauguration of an art and wine museum and, of course, the creation of a different label every year. He shone as an ambassador for the style and quality of his wine, raising his Chateau to the rank of Premier Grand Cru Classified in 1855.

In 1973, Mouton Rothschild was crowned 1er Grand Cru Classée, until then considered a Second Grand Cru Classée since 1855, after years of requests to the French government. The French Minister of Agriculture, Jacques Chirac, signed the décret of this change of status, officially recognizing Mouton's Bordeaux status.

In 1988, on the death of his father, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild succeeded him as head of the 1er grand cru classé Mouton de Rothschild. Philippe Sereys De Rothschild joined the Board of Directors of Le Château in 1991, a desire of his mother. In 2006, he was appointed vice-president. When the Baroness died in 2014, her son took over, with the unanimous support of his family, and decided to devote all his time and energy to the business. His elder sister, Camille Sereys de Rothschild, works to continue the projects of her ancestors, and contributes to the choir's international renown. 

Le Château is known for sharing many links with the world of art and culture. Mouton's labels are recognizable among the many wines of Bordeaux. Every millennium, they take on a new aesthetic, reflecting the character of the wine as it changes with the seasons. 

 

More than a century of tradition in the service of art

Since 1924, Mouton Rothschild has collaborated with international artists. The first on the list was poster artist Jean Carlu. However, it wasn't until 1945 that this practice became the Chateau's visual signature, and over the years became a tradition. 

Behind the choice of artistic labels and this century-old tradition lies a determination to promote the high quality and care of these bottles. Baron Rothschild does not wish to imitate its neighbors, and favors exclusive bottling at the chateau, whereas in the past the wine was entrusted to the nobility in barrels. 

 

L'art de l'tiquette

Miró, Picasso, Dali, Jeff Koons as well as the famous Prince Charles of England were among the guests at Château Mouton Rothschild for a special event. They were given carte blanche to realize it. However, the artists often seem to be inspired by the same themes: tasting, the vine, the bier - the symbol of Château Mouton Rothschild - . These artists were offered this opportunity to collaborate first and foremost through a strong human relationship shared with the chateau, many of whom are dear friends of the family and all of whom understand the values of the chateau, the collection and the wines. 

 

Château Mouton Rothschild, 1945

1945 marked a historic turning point. To commemorate the anniversary of the Allied victory, the artist Philippe Julian, still unknown this year, was commissioned. The label features a large, symbolic Victory V to mark the return of peace, and a reference to the sign Churchill used to designate the free world. 

 

Château Mouton Rothschild, 1993

It took the Rothschild family a few years before the famous French painter Balthus agreed to create a label for their wine. It was only when his wife Setsuko Klowssowska de Rola was commissioned before him in 1991 that he decided to create his own wine label in 1993. This millennium will be remembered across the Atlantic for the strict censorship measures applied by the American government: the label will display nothing more than empty space, Balthus's nude drawing not respecting American mores. 

 

Château Mouton Rothschild, 2022

Contemporary French artist Gerard Garouste has been chosen to design a tribute label to mark 100 years since Baron de Rothschild arrived at the Chateau in 1922. In his memoirs, Baron Rothschild wondered whether his descendants would remember his visit and the first stone he laid a century later. 

 

Museum of wine in art

The chateau houses a museum of wine and art, illustrating the clear symbiosis that constitutes the DNA of Mouton Rothschild and inviting discovery.

This museum brings together a wide range of works, in terms of creators, artistic mediums, cultures and artistic movements, all revolving around man's fascination with wine through art. 

Visitors can admire a tapestry from the 16th century, an ancient Greek terracotta dating from 520-510 B.C. and a silver bottle in the shape of a Bier from a Germanic country. 

 

Permanent exhibition, l'art et l'tiquette

The artistic surprises at Château Mouton Rothschild are ever-increasing. In a room adjoining the Cuvier, all the original d'étiquettes created by artists since 1924 are displayed. 

 

A great lady to inspire the creation of a foundation

In memory of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, who passed away in 2014, her son Philippe Sereys De Rothschild decided to create a foundation in her name. The Fondation d'entreprise Philippine de Rothschild supports the artistic and cultural projects of young artists. Every 2 to 3 years, the foundation awards young dancers the Prix Clerc Milon de la Danse. In 2023, two young dancers from Latin America won the competition. 

 

The origins of Mouton's great wines

Mouton Rothschild is produced in the Bordeaux appellation of Pauillac in the Mâcon region. 

Pauillac is a prestigious appellation whose reputation is matched by the quality of its wines: 3 of the top 5 Grands Crus classified in 1855, Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton, are located here. This is due to an extraordinary terroir. 

 

The terroir of Pauillac, the terroir of premier grands crus

Mouton Rothschild enjoys a temperate microclimate thanks to its proximity to the Garonne River. Temperature extremes in summer and winter are moderated by the action of this surrounding water.

What's more, the chateau is surrounded by gently sloping hills, at a maximum altitude of 40 m. This degree of slope favours sunshine for the vines and drainage for the soil. In days gone by, these hilltops were identified by the locals as the best vineyards and were marked by the word “motte” or “mothon”. So, although the chateau's symbol is a bier, the source of its name would certainly come more from this expression in early French. 

The Plateau de Mouton, home to the majority of the chateau's vineyards, rises to an altitude of 27m. The 90-hectare vineyard is planted with the region's most emblematic grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), complemented by Merlot (15%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). Cabernet Sauvignon is the appellation's flagship grape variety, introduced in the 19th century. 

The geological composition of the Mouton soil is remarkable. Although the soil is extremely poor, i.e. not very fertile, it is perfectly suited to vine-growing. The soil is made up of pebbles and gravel, commonly referred to as “Bordeaux gravel”, complemented by a sandy, partly clay soil resting on a marl-limestone bedrock. This poor soil forces the roots of the vines to plunge deep into the soil for several meters in search of water and minerals, which enhances the complexity of the wines and helps avoid extreme episodes of water stress.

 

A cellar worthy of these great wines

In 1926, the Chateau invested in the construction of a spectacular cellar, over 100 m long and 25 m wide, capable of holding more than 1,000 barrels, designed by architect Charles Siclis. This decision was taken shortly after Baron Philippe de Rothschild decided to move bottling to the chateau, which required more space.

The cellar's north-south orientation provides an adequate natural temperature for topping-up, fining and racking. 

 

Inimitable style 

Château Mouton Rothschild produces 3 styles of wine. A great historic red wine, Château Mouton Rothschild, a second red wine since 1993, Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, and a third white wine whose production dates back to the 80s and 90s.

Every millennium, the blend of wines varies according to the weather. In fact, each vintage has a slightly different expression from one year to the next, depending on a number of meteorological factors such as sunshine, rainfall and average temperature. The wine must reflect the singularity of the vintage, as a 2022 is not comparable to a 2009 or 2010, while remaining true to the style and signature of Mouton Rothschild. This stylistic interpretation is a delicate and precise exercise, the fruit of unique know-how acquired by the winery's technical teams over time.

 

The rare and iconic millennia of Chateau Mouton Rothschild

Mouton Rothschild, 1945 

In 2006, this vintage set the record for the world's most expensive wine at auction, set by Christie's at 22,650 euros, breaking the record set in 2005 by a batch of Romantic e-Conti from the 1985 vintage.

The1973 vintage  commémore the death of the artist Dali the same year.

TheMouton Rothschild 1977 label is organized to mark the royal visit of the Queen of England to the chateau. 

In 1987, The label was designed in accordance with the Baroness's wishes, as a tribute to her father, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who passed away in 1988.