Whether its what James Suckling describes as the "wonderful combination of refinement and power" in Chateau Margaux or the complexity and depth of Chateau Mouton Rothschild that Jeb Dunnuck declares "quintessential Pauillac," these top scoring vintages from two iconic First Growth estates are guaranteed not to disappoint, a terrific opportunity to fill in the cellar with 100 pt. gems or treat yourself to the one of a kind pleasures that only First Growth Bordeaux can deliver in every vintage at best on the market pricing.
A seductive Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend, Chateau Margaux' 82-hectare vineyard boasts some vines over 80 years of age, producing exceptional quality fruit which undergoes rigorous selection with typically only a third or less of production making the cut for the Grand Vin and typically aged for 18 to 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels made at their onsite cooperage. A top scoring selection ranging from the stunning 100 pt. 2009 Margaux just entering its window of drinkability to the alluring 100 pt. 2020 Margaux declared "a Margaux for the ages" by Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson, every vintage shares the Grand Vin's signature refinement and meticulous balance, offering floral aromatics and lush dark fruit with dense silky tannins that promise decades of enjoyment and all "elegant and utterly compelling" in the words of the Wine Advocate's William Kelley. A sumptuous and rich Cabernet Sauvignon blend known for its unique artwork labels that change with each vintage, Chateau Mouton Rothschild shares Margaux's "insane ability to age" according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson, its 83 hectare vineyard at Pauillac's highest elevation planted to 81% Cabernet Sauvignon averaging 50 years of age with some vines over 130 years with only 50% of the harvest making the final cut for the Grand Vin and always aged in 100% new French oak typically for 19 to 22 months. Described as a "multi-dimensional First Growth with a very persistent finish" by Vinous critic Neal Martin, the dazzling 100 pt. 2009 Chateau Mouton Rothschild is ready to enjoy after over a decade of pristine cellaring while the stunning 100 pt. 2010 Mouton is "a battleship of a wine" according to the Wine Spectator's James Molesworth and not far behind, every vintage revealing the estate's signature seductive texture, velvety tannins and incredible depth and ranging to the "ethereal" 100 pt 2020 Mouton Rothschild that James Suckling declares "hard to not drink now," highlighting its approachability while acknowledging the potential for decades of evolution.
Representing the upper echelon in the Bordeaux hierarchy, some of these remarkable First Growths boast over a decade of cellaring and others require patient cellaring before pulling the cork, but all are guaranteed to "blow you away any time" over the next several decades in the words of Jeb Dunnuck, delivered in perfect provenance at exceptional value pricing.
Pure perfection, and reminding me slightly of the 1982, the 2009 Château Mouton Rothschild boasts an opaque ruby hue as well as an incredibly perfumed, sexy, seductive style in its ripe currant and cassis fruits as well as new saddle leather, spicy oak, smoke tobacco, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. Complex, full-bodied, and beautifully concentrated, with sweet tannins, this masterpiece is already impossible to resist yet won't hit full maturity for another decade and will evolve for 50-60 years if well stored.
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (May 2023)
Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Mouton Rothschild gives up bold earthy notions of underbrush, tilled soil and fungi over a core of crème de cassis, plum preserves and Indian spices with a waft of camphor. Full-bodied with a firm, velvety tannin texture and packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, it has seamless freshness and a very long, decadently fruited finish.
99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Mar 2019)
Interesting to taste this vintage alongside the 2015, as the two have much in common - both generous, opulent and seductive, with tannins that are abundant but deceptively supple. Signature Mouton, muscular architecture, delivering cocoa bean, cedar, crème de cassis, fresh mint, liquorice, crayon, orange zest and pomegranate, celebrating a still-youthful expression of the juicy blackberry and cassis fruits, and a testatement to this exceptional vintage. This was drunk over dinner, and certainly tasted wonderful, but it has decades ahead of it, and will just keep on getting better. 100% new oak, Philippe Dhalluin director.
99 points, Jane Anson (Jun 2023)
This will always be a great contrast to the dark power of the 2010, sporting lush layers of fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture, carried by velvety tannins, flowing through a long, anise-, tobacco- and cocoa-fueled finish. Not shy on grip, but much rounder and plusher in feel. Hard to resist now, but there's absolutely no rush.—Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017). Best from 2020 through 2050. 16,000 cases made.
98 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (2017)
With a ton of ripe blackcurrant and some bitter chocolate this is a rich and rather opulent wine that still retains a delightful freshness and has a long, positively dry finish. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)
98 points, James Suckling (Mar 2019)
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