Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2002 Premier Grand Cru Classe 75cl / 13%

A bottle of 2002 Château Mouton Rothschild from Bordeaux's Pauillac appellation, featuring a label designed by Ilva Kabakov.

'Dense purple to the rim, this wine exhibits the classic cassis aroma that is so characteristic of Mouton. Medium to full-bodied, tannic, powerful, and cut somewhat from the 1988 mold, this is a backward, chewy, well-endowed Mouton-Rothschild that will require considerable patience from those who purchase it. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the wine needs a good decade of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+. 93/100' Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 2005

Despite its market prices equalling that of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild was excluded from the First Growth status under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Baron Philippe de Rothschild called this a 'monstrous injustice', and some believe the Château was excluded as it had recently been purchased by an Englishman, so was no longer under French ownership.

After intense lobbying, Château Mouton Rothschild was elevated to First Growth status in 1973, leading to a change in motto, from 'Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis' ('First, I cannot be. Second, I do not deign to be. Mouton I am'), to 'Premier je suis, Second je fus, Mouton ne change' ('First, I am. Second, I used to be. Mouton does not change').

This Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2002 sold at our online auction for £320