Château Mouton Rothschild 2004

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Mouton Rothschild 2004

Tasting

Color

A deep red hue with intense ruby highlights defines this vintage.

Nose

The bouquet reveals fine aromatic complexity with notes of black cherry and quince paste. Hints of licorice, menthol and fresh tobacco intertwine harmoniously. With aeration, grilled and toasted nuances emerge, accompanied by subtle notes of mocha, cold smoke, graphite and cinnamon.

Palate

The attack is rich and broad, carried by precise, refined tannins. The palate shows fine concentration with flavors of black cherry, quince, mocha and blackcurrant. Grilled and toasted notes add depth, while a well-balanced freshness runs through the tasting. The finish is long, dense and flavorful, reflecting excellent balance and remarkable elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, a beef fillet with Bordelaise sauce, duck breast, a leg of lamb with Herbes de Provence, or porcini mushrooms Bordelaise-style. It also matches very well with aged cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort.

Serving and cellaring

Château Mouton Rothschild 2004 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one to two hours before serving is recommended to allow the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity. This vintage can be cellared until around 2035.

A Pauillac First Growth with an elegant, refined character

The estate

Château Mouton Rothschild, located in Pauillac in the Médoc, is an emblematic estate acquired by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild in 1853. Initially classified as a Second Growth in 1855, it is the only one to have been promoted to First Growth in 1973, under the impetus of Philippe de Rothschild. The 91-hectare vineyard is planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon. Since 1945, each vintage has featured a unique artistic label.

The vineyard

The vineyard of Château Mouton Rothschild benefits from an exceptional terroir located at the heart of the Pauillac appellation. The vines thrive on deep gravel soils that ensure optimal drainage and promote the expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. The average vine age is between 45 and 50 years, ensuring concentration and complexity in the grapes.

The vintage

The year 2004 was marked by exceptional drought, the most pronounced in fifty years. Welcome rainfall in August ensured good veraison. September provided ideal conditions with generous sunshine and temperatures above seasonal norms. Harvest began on September 29 for Merlot and ended on October 15 for the finest parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, making it possible to reach optimal phenolic ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

The Château Mouton Rothschild 2004 harvest is carried out by hand with rigorous grape selection. Parcel-by-parcel vinification takes place in 44 oak vats and 20 temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation before being aged for 18 to 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (69%)
Merlot (15%)
Cabernet Franc (13%)
Petit Verdot (3%)