Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2004

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Mouton Rothschild 2004

Tasting

Color

A deep red hue with intense ruby highlights characterizes 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. Aeration brings out roasted and toasty nuances, alongside subtle notes of mocha, cold smoke, graphite, and cinnamon.

Palate

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

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, beef tenderloin with Bordeaux-style sauce, duck breast, a leg of lamb with Herbes de Provence, or Bordeaux-style porcini mushrooms. It also pairs 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 iconic 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 predominantly planted 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, providing concentration and complexity to the grapes.

The vintage

The year 2004 was marked by exceptional drought, the most pronounced in fifty years. Welcome rains in August ensured good veraison. September offered ideal conditions with generous sunshine and temperatures above seasonal averages. Harvest began on September 29 for merlot and concluded on October 15 for the finest parcels of cabernet sauvignon, allowing optimal phenolic ripeness to be achieved.

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%)