Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2008
- Producer Chateau Mouton Rothschild
- Country France
- Region Bordeaux
- Appellation Pauillac
- UPC 0 15643 73418 2
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Item# 1672-08
James Suckling
94pt
Robert Parker
95pt
Wine Enthusiast
96pt
Wine Spectator
94pt
Tasting notes
With a very high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend once again, this Mouton Rothschild displays a very rich range of aromas and flavours throughout the tasting.
The first nose is intense and open: red fruit, blackberry and blackcurrant combine harmoniously with floral notes such as violet. On airing, roasted, toasted notes mingle graciously with delicate touches of cedarwood.
The palate opens with a lively, powerful and full-bodied attack, releasing silky, velvet tannins. Forward fruit on black berry flavours is set off by toasted notes and a delicious touch of vanilla, while the powerful and harmonious finish displays very attractive length.
Nature took its time in 2008, from vine-tending to vinification, but ultimately produced all the necessary ingredients to make a very fine wine indeed.
The first nose is intense and open: red fruit, blackberry and blackcurrant combine harmoniously with floral notes such as violet. On airing, roasted, toasted notes mingle graciously with delicate touches of cedarwood.
The palate opens with a lively, powerful and full-bodied attack, releasing silky, velvet tannins. Forward fruit on black berry flavours is set off by toasted notes and a delicious touch of vanilla, while the powerful and harmonious finish displays very attractive length.
Nature took its time in 2008, from vine-tending to vinification, but ultimately produced all the necessary ingredients to make a very fine wine indeed.
Climatic conditions
2008 will remain in the memory as a year of particularly changeable weather.
After a cool and wet spring (the temperature fell to around 0° C on 7 April), the weather turned more seasonal in June, but the vegetation cycle was running late.
July was sunny and dry but the summer continued with a dull August, increasing the need for careful vineyard supervision. However, rainfall in August was in line with the average; there was no water surplus and the water table remained at a level comparable with that of recent years.
A lack of sunshine in the first half of September heralded a difficult vintage. Fortunately, a magnificent Indian summer that began on 14 September and lasted until 20 October completely reversed the situation. Such excellent conditions before the harvest increased the alcoholic strength and enabled the grapes to achieve a very fine state of phenolic maturity.
Picking was delayed so that the grapes could ripen fully. The harvest took place between 2 and 15 October, the crop being in excellent condition. Patience was needed for the 2008 harvest, and rigorous attention from vine to vinification. A quite unusual vintage, it has produced wines that nevertheless hold out the promise of remarkable quality.
After a cool and wet spring (the temperature fell to around 0° C on 7 April), the weather turned more seasonal in June, but the vegetation cycle was running late.
July was sunny and dry but the summer continued with a dull August, increasing the need for careful vineyard supervision. However, rainfall in August was in line with the average; there was no water surplus and the water table remained at a level comparable with that of recent years.
A lack of sunshine in the first half of September heralded a difficult vintage. Fortunately, a magnificent Indian summer that began on 14 September and lasted until 20 October completely reversed the situation. Such excellent conditions before the harvest increased the alcoholic strength and enabled the grapes to achieve a very fine state of phenolic maturity.
Picking was delayed so that the grapes could ripen fully. The harvest took place between 2 and 15 October, the crop being in excellent condition. Patience was needed for the 2008 harvest, and rigorous attention from vine to vinification. A quite unusual vintage, it has produced wines that nevertheless hold out the promise of remarkable quality.
