Château Mouton Rothschild 2021 Pauillac 750ml

Since 1945, Château Mouton Rothschild has commissioned an original work of art from a leading artist for each vintage’s label, a tradition that has made the bottles collectors’ items as well as great wines. For 2021, the château chose Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, an artist of international renown. Inspired by her visit to the estate, and “deeply moved by the intimate relationship between man and nature,” she created Universe of Mouton, in which a fragile human silhouette faces a radiant, generous nature.

The wine itself is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, 13.1% ABV, in a year that was more classic and cooler than recent vintages, with a late harvest from September 25 to October 6. Critics rated it among the stars of 2021. James Suckling scored it 98 Points: “This shows blackcurrants, blackberries, violets, lavender, pencil shavings and hints of metal shavings. Medium- to full-bodied with a firm and juicy character of extremely polished and integrated tannins that caress your palate. Compact and poised with tension and focus.” Wine Enthusiast scored it 97, calling it “big, rich and sumptuously smoky, with density and power,” with “all the classic attributes of a Mouton, just slightly lighter.” Vinous’s Antonio Galloni scored it 96 and, tasting it in 2024, wrote: “The 2021 Mouton Rothschild is gorgeous, just as it was en primeur. A wine of stature and vertical build, the 2021 is wonderfully poised from the outset. Beams of tannin add to an impression of explosive lift. Touches of mocha, spice, new leather, cedar and blood orange begin to emerge with a bit of time in the glass... I would not be in a rush.” Decanter, The Wine Independent, and Jean-Marc Quarin each scored it 96, Jeff Leve 96, Chris Kissack 95, and the Wine Advocate 94. Jancis Robinson gave 17.5+/20. The Wine Independent described “ripe black plums, blackcurrant pastilles, licorice, and cedar chest, followed by hints of dark chocolate and iron ore, with a fragrant touch of violets,” and Jeff Leve recommends drinking it from 2030 to 2060.

The château’s own notes describe “deep and dark, with a lustrous purple hue,” blackberry and blackcurrant aromas “combined with floral notes of iris and touches of spice and cedarwood,” a “luscious, succulent attack,” “bigarreau cherry flavours enfolded in a structure of sapid, patrician tannins,” and “an exquisite minerality,” with a long finish. It’s a First Growth at the top of its vintage and a collectible label, to cellar for a decade or more.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Château Mouton Rothschild 2021 is produced at Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, Bordeaux, France, a First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé). The 2021 is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged in new French oak, harvested September 25 to October 6, 2021. The label artwork, Universe of Mouton, is by Chiharu Shiota. 13.1% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

James Suckling — 98 Points:
“This shows blackcurrants, blackberries, violets, lavender, pencil shavings and hints of metal shavings. Medium- to full-bodied with a firm and juicy character of extremely polished and integrated tannins that caress your palate. Compact and poised with tension and focus.”

Wine Enthusiast — 97 Points (barrel sample range 95–97):
“Big, rich and sumptuously smoky, this has density and power. Its blackberry tones are structured, with a core of tannins. This very fine wine has all the classic attributes of a Mouton, just slightly lighter.”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous — 96 Points (February 2024):
“The 2021 Mouton Rothschild is gorgeous, just as it was en primeur. A wine of stature and vertical build, the 2021 is wonderfully poised from the outset. Beams of tannin add to an impression of explosive lift. Touches of mocha, spice, new leather, cedar and blood orange begin to emerge with a bit of time in the glass. The Grand Vin is pretty imposing at this stage. I would not be in a rush.”

Decanter — 96 Points

The Wine Independent — 96 Points:
“The 2021 Mouton Rothschild has a deep garnet-purple color. It is very closed to start, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of ripe black plums, blackcurrant pastilles, licorice, and cedar chest, followed by hints of dark chocolate and iron ore, with a fragrant touch of violets. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit, with great tension and ripe, fine-grained tannins framing the electrically charged black fruit and mineral flavors, finishing long and perfumed.”

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider — 96 Points (June 2024):
“Cuban cigars, black currants, spice, smoke, thyme, cedar chest, flowers, and blackberries, with barely a hint of espresso show in the nose.” Drink from 2030–2060.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 94 Points · Jancis Robinson — 17.5+/20 · Jean-Marc Quarin — 96 · Chris Kissack — 95

Château Mouton Rothschild (official tasting notes):
“The wine is deep and dark, with a lustrous purple hue. The intense and elegant nose displays seductively scented blackberry and blackcurrant aromas, combined with floral notes of iris and touches of spice and cedarwood. A luscious, succulent attack leads into a beautifully balanced, fresh and harmonious palate on which bigarreau cherry flavours are enfolded in a structure of sapid, patrician tannins. Sustained by an exquisite minerality, the long, lingering finish releases a succession of spicy fresh fruit notes.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep garnet-purple. Blackberry and blackcurrant lead, with iris, violets, lavender, pencil shavings, cedarwood, and spice.

Palate
Medium- to full-bodied and compact, with bigarreau cherry and black fruit, a firm, juicy core, polished, caressing tannin, and an exquisite minerality.

Finish
Long and lingering, with spicy fresh fruit, cocoa, and iron-ore notes.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Roast lamb and beef tenderloin
• Duck and game
• Truffle dishes
• Aged hard cheeses

Serving Note

Cellar for 8 to 10 years or more; if opened earlier, decant for two hours or more.