1 dozen bottles per lot
細節
MOUTON-ROTHSCHILD
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild stands alone in its feat of being the only chateau of the 1855 Medoc Classification to change status. While this classification purported to consider only market prices in its framework, the exclusion of Mouton from the ranks of the four other premiers grand cru classes reeked of bias. The chateau was certainly of high pedigree, making its first appearance in a Christie's catalogue in 1834. The new English owner Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild was dissatisfied, but only when descendant Philippe took the helm in 1922 were serious strides made.
A few years after this appointment, the young Baron Philippe proposed chateau bottling for all the first growths and Mouton-Rothschild itself, ensuring greater quality control. Mouton was the first to achieve chateau bottling of a harvest in 1924. The Baron diligently worked towards correcting what he called "the monstrous injustice." Overcoming the inertia of a system steeped in tradition, politics and tremendous wealth, Mouton was reclassified from a second to a first growth in 1973 after Philippe de Rothschild's 51 year campaign. Despite rumors that persist each year, no other has achieved a promotion or even demotion since.
The very rare vertical offering of Mouton presents an opportunity to reflect in the chateau's historical evolution from the "Année de la Victoire" -a chateau and family relieved at the end of WWII- to a modern grand chateau commanding some of the highest prices in the world. Through these years, the chateau has passed to the next generation of Rothschild family, new vines have been planted and new winemakers create in the Grand Chai designed by Charles Sicils in 1926.
Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 1982
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Both lots in original wooden cases
Levels: Lot 154 into neck; lot 155 bottom neck; bin soiled labels, water damaged case
"Opaque purple-colored showing absolutely no signs of lightening, Mouton's 1982 is a backward wine. Still tasting like a 4-5 year old Bordeaux, it will evolve for another half century. At the Philadelphia tasting, it was impossibly impenetrable and closed, although phenomenally dense and muscular. However, on two other recent occasions, I decanted the wine in the morning and consumed it that evening and again the following evening. It is immune to oxidation! Moreover, it has a level of concentration that represents the essence of the Mouton terroir as well as the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon it contains. Cassis, cedar, spice box, minerals, and vanillin are all present, but this opaque black/purple Pauillac has yet to reveal secondary nuances given its youthfulness. It exhibits huge tannin, unreal levels of glycerin and concentration, and spectacular sweetness and opulence. Nevertheless, it demands another decade of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for another seven or eight decades. I have always felt the 1982 Mouton was perfect, yet this immortal effort might be capable of lasting for 100 years! Readers who want to drink it are advised to decant it for at least 12-24 hours prior to consumption. I suggest double decanting, i.e., pouring it into a clean decanter, washing out the bottle, and then repouring it back into the bottle, inserting the cork, leaving the air space to serve as breathing space until the wine is consumed 12-24 hours later. The improvement is striking. The fact that it resists oxidation is a testament to just how youthful it remains, and how long it will last. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2075." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #129 (June 2000)
1 dozen bottles per lot
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild stands alone in its feat of being the only chateau of the 1855 Medoc Classification to change status. While this classification purported to consider only market prices in its framework, the exclusion of Mouton from the ranks of the four other premiers grand cru classes reeked of bias. The chateau was certainly of high pedigree, making its first appearance in a Christie's catalogue in 1834. The new English owner Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild was dissatisfied, but only when descendant Philippe took the helm in 1922 were serious strides made.
A few years after this appointment, the young Baron Philippe proposed chateau bottling for all the first growths and Mouton-Rothschild itself, ensuring greater quality control. Mouton was the first to achieve chateau bottling of a harvest in 1924. The Baron diligently worked towards correcting what he called "the monstrous injustice." Overcoming the inertia of a system steeped in tradition, politics and tremendous wealth, Mouton was reclassified from a second to a first growth in 1973 after Philippe de Rothschild's 51 year campaign. Despite rumors that persist each year, no other has achieved a promotion or even demotion since.
The very rare vertical offering of Mouton presents an opportunity to reflect in the chateau's historical evolution from the "Année de la Victoire" -a chateau and family relieved at the end of WWII- to a modern grand chateau commanding some of the highest prices in the world. Through these years, the chateau has passed to the next generation of Rothschild family, new vines have been planted and new winemakers create in the Grand Chai designed by Charles Sicils in 1926.
Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 1982
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Both lots in original wooden cases
Levels: Lot 154 into neck; lot 155 bottom neck; bin soiled labels, water damaged case
"Opaque purple-colored showing absolutely no signs of lightening, Mouton's 1982 is a backward wine. Still tasting like a 4-5 year old Bordeaux, it will evolve for another half century. At the Philadelphia tasting, it was impossibly impenetrable and closed, although phenomenally dense and muscular. However, on two other recent occasions, I decanted the wine in the morning and consumed it that evening and again the following evening. It is immune to oxidation! Moreover, it has a level of concentration that represents the essence of the Mouton terroir as well as the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon it contains. Cassis, cedar, spice box, minerals, and vanillin are all present, but this opaque black/purple Pauillac has yet to reveal secondary nuances given its youthfulness. It exhibits huge tannin, unreal levels of glycerin and concentration, and spectacular sweetness and opulence. Nevertheless, it demands another decade of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for another seven or eight decades. I have always felt the 1982 Mouton was perfect, yet this immortal effort might be capable of lasting for 100 years! Readers who want to drink it are advised to decant it for at least 12-24 hours prior to consumption. I suggest double decanting, i.e., pouring it into a clean decanter, washing out the bottle, and then repouring it back into the bottle, inserting the cork, leaving the air space to serve as breathing space until the wine is consumed 12-24 hours later. The improvement is striking. The fact that it resists oxidation is a testament to just how youthful it remains, and how long it will last. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2075." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #129 (June 2000)
1 dozen bottles per lot