Mouton Rothschild 2003

Pauillac, First Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy
12	75cl Bottle	Case 6	£2,240 per Case	Cases	[Add to shopping basket]

Tasting Notes
A heady, exotic wine, the 2003 Mouton Rothschild takes hold of all the senses. The ripeness and exuberance of the year comes through in spades as this dramatic, opulent wine shows off its radiant personality. The 2003 can be enjoyed now, but it could also use another few years for the tannins to soften. Still, the 2003 is pretty hard to resist today. This is an exceptional, deeply satisfying Mouton endowed with notable richness but also exceptional balance. Hints of toffee, torrefaction and dark spices are laced into the finish. In 2003 the blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, all brought in between a fairly narrow window of ten days between September 15 and 25. Score: 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2016-2043 01 May 2016
By no means the strongest of the first-growths in 2003, in fact, the 2003 Mouton is probably the weakest. The selection process that was implemented by new administrator Philippe Dhalluin a few years later had not yet gone into effect. The harvest took place between September 15-25, and the wine shows lots of opulent cassis, a hint of roasted coffee, and an evolved, fully mature style with light tannin in the finish. I wouldn’t push my luck, although it is certainly capable of lasting another decade. There may be a tendency for the tannins to give the wine a more desiccated overall impression five or six years from now. Score: 91 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2024 01 August 2014
The two vintages of Mouton Rothschild represented the historically hot, dry year of 2003 and the cooler, small crop of 2008. Both are terrific Mouton Rothschilds. The 2003 was surprisingly forward, even at age 11, which is unusually young for a Mouton to be strutting its stuff. This vintage may be maturing quickly, although there is no reason to believe it will not last 25-30 years. Score: 96 Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 March 2014
Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9%, improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040+. During its sojourn in barrel, it reminded me of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1986 Moutons, but since bottling, it appears different, and even more tannic than those two vintages. I still believe the finest recent Mouton-Rothschild is the 2000. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2040 30 April 2006
This massive Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. A formidable black/purple to the rim, the wine offers up a tight but promising nose of scorched earth, creme de cassis, licorice, and charcoal notes followed by meaty, powerful, unctuous flavors that are huge, dense, tannic, and backward. Last year I thought it was somewhat similar to the 1982, and after nine months of barrel-aging, I have begun thinking of a hypothetical blend of both the 1982 and 1986. Incredibly different from the Lafite-Rothschild, which is so unctuous and plush, this is muscular, backward, and just humongous in size, a true giant from Pauillac. But prospective purchasers be forewarned - patience will be a virtue. Score: 95 - 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2050 30 April 2005
Made from low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, this profound blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot possesses a finished pH of 3.8, alcohol of 12.9% (nearly identical to Lafite Rothschild in that sense), and 3.5 total acidity (much higher than the other first growths). The 2003 is similar in style to Mouton’s 1982, but softer and more pliable than that wine was at the same age. The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest began on the same day it did in both 1982 and 1947 ... an interesting coincidence. Black/purple-colored to the rim, with a gorgeous nose of espresso roast intermixed with classic Mouton creme de cassis liqueur-like notes, its powerful, unctuous flavors cascade over the palate revealing tremendous intensity as well as strong tannin. This enormously endowed 2003 is still sorting itself out, but it is unquestionably one of the greatest efforts of the vintage. If my instincts are correct, it is the ripest, most flamboyant Mouton-Rothschild since the 1982. Score: 95 - 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2035 30 April 2004
Very deep crimson. Strong ripe cassis notes on the nose. Very rich and savoury. Dramatic and silky. Very Mouton and almost flashy in its appeal. Very rich fruit with a silky texture. Deep and long. Just one thing: it didn’t last especially well in the decanter overnight which suggests it may not have a particularly long life ahead. But it's a gorgeous wine now. Score: 19 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2025 14 November 2013
Dark crimson. Rich and haunting and lovely and complete with both lift and depth. Exciting. Reverberant. Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2022 13 October 2010
Tasted at the Claret Club Mouton-Rothschild dinner. The 2003 is beginning to really come out of its shell. It has a lifted, well defined bouquet with cassis and blueberry fruit, a touch of liquorice developing with time. The palate is full-bodied with a fleshy, glossy entry, quite ostentatious in style with touches of date and graphite, yet nicely balanced on the finish. Very fine. Tasted November 2010. Score: 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 May 2011
Good medium ruby. This is downright exotic on the nose: mocha, coffee, graphite and coconut, lifted by sandalwood and cinnamon spice. Then dense, supple and fine-grained without coming across as heavy. Suggestion of aromatic tree bark. A seamless wine that spreads out horizontally on the back end and finishes with very fine tannins. A bit less extreme than the average 2003, but the 2005 Mouton has more class. I suspect this is on the verge of shutting down in bottle. Score: 93 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006
Deep red-ruby. Exotic oak scents and lead pencil dominate the nose. Sweet, supple and lush, with a very fine-grained texture. The exotic oak character follows through on the palate. Very suave, but I don't find the fleshiness, extravagant ripeness and sheer size of the very best 2003s. Possesses unusually sound acidity for the vintage and finishes with building tannins. Score: 91 - 94 Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com 01 May 2005
(a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; 12.9% alcohol, compared to 13% for Clerc-Milon and 13.1% for Armailhac) Good full, bright ruby. Brooding, medicinal aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, graphite and tobacco, along with some exotic oak notes. Quite closed in the middle palate and not particularly fleshy for the year. Shows some slightly green flavors of tobacco and currant leaf. Most impressive today on the long, slow-mounting finish. Still, I don't yet find the ripeness or stuffing of the best 2003 Medocs today. Score: 91 - 93 Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com 01 May 2004
Blackberry, cherry and currant with just a hint of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely combination of ripe fruit and vanilla character. Goes on and on. Long and very stylish. Balanced and refined. Best after 2011. 23,330 cases made. Score: 94 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011+ 31 March 2006

Tasting Notes

A heady, exotic wine, the 2003 Mouton Rothschild takes hold of all the senses. The ripeness and exuberance of the year comes through in spades as this dramatic, opulent wine shows off its radiant personality. The 2003 can be enjoyed now, but it could also use another few years for the tannins to soften. Still, the 2003 is pretty hard to resist today. This is an exceptional, deeply satisfying Mouton endowed with notable richness but also exceptional balance. Hints of toffee, torrefaction and dark spices are laced into the finish. In 2003 the blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, all brought in between a fairly narrow window of ten days between September 15 and 25.

Score: 95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2016-2043 01 May 2016

By no means the strongest of the first-growths in 2003, in fact, the 2003 Mouton is probably the weakest. The selection process that was implemented by new administrator Philippe Dhalluin a few years later had not yet gone into effect. The harvest took place between September 15-25, and the wine shows lots of opulent cassis, a hint of roasted coffee, and an evolved, fully mature style with light tannin in the finish. I wouldn’t push my luck, although it is certainly capable of lasting another decade. There may be a tendency for the tannins to give the wine a more desiccated overall impression five or six years from now.

Score: 91

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2024 01 August 2014

The two vintages of Mouton Rothschild represented the historically hot, dry year of 2003 and the cooler, small crop of 2008. Both are terrific Mouton Rothschilds. The 2003 was surprisingly forward, even at age 11, which is unusually young for a Mouton to be strutting its stuff. This vintage may be maturing quickly, although there is no reason to believe it will not last 25-30 years.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 March 2014

Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9%, improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040+. During its sojourn in barrel, it reminded me of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1986 Moutons, but since bottling, it appears different, and even more tannic than those two vintages. I still believe the finest recent Mouton-Rothschild is the 2000.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2040 30 April 2006

This massive Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. A formidable black/purple to the rim, the wine offers up a tight but promising nose of scorched earth, creme de cassis, licorice, and charcoal notes followed by meaty, powerful, unctuous flavors that are huge, dense, tannic, and backward. Last year I thought it was somewhat similar to the 1982, and after nine months of barrel-aging, I have begun thinking of a hypothetical blend of both the 1982 and 1986. Incredibly different from the Lafite-Rothschild, which is so unctuous and plush, this is muscular, backward, and just humongous in size, a true giant from Pauillac. But prospective purchasers be forewarned - patience will be a virtue.

Score: 95 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2050 30 April 2005

Made from low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, this profound blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot possesses a finished pH of 3.8, alcohol of 12.9% (nearly identical to Lafite Rothschild in that sense), and 3.5 total acidity (much higher than the other first growths). The 2003 is similar in style to Mouton’s 1982, but softer and more pliable than that wine was at the same age. The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest began on the same day it did in both 1982 and 1947 ... an interesting coincidence. Black/purple-colored to the rim, with a gorgeous nose of espresso roast intermixed with classic Mouton creme de cassis liqueur-like notes, its powerful, unctuous flavors cascade over the palate revealing tremendous intensity as well as strong tannin. This enormously endowed 2003 is still sorting itself out, but it is unquestionably one of the greatest efforts of the vintage. If my instincts are correct, it is the ripest, most flamboyant Mouton-Rothschild since the 1982.

Score: 95 - 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2035 30 April 2004

Very deep crimson. Strong ripe cassis notes on the nose. Very rich and savoury. Dramatic and silky. Very Mouton and almost flashy in its appeal. Very rich fruit with a silky texture. Deep and long. Just one thing: it didn’t last especially well in the decanter overnight which suggests it may not have a particularly long life ahead. But it's a gorgeous wine now.

Score: 19

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2025 14 November 2013

Dark crimson. Rich and haunting and lovely and complete with both lift and depth. Exciting. Reverberant.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2022 13 October 2010

Tasted at the Claret Club Mouton-Rothschild dinner. The 2003 is beginning to really come out of its shell. It has a lifted, well defined bouquet with cassis and blueberry fruit, a touch of liquorice developing with time. The palate is full-bodied with a fleshy, glossy entry, quite ostentatious in style with touches of date and graphite, yet nicely balanced on the finish. Very fine. Tasted November 2010.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 May 2011

Good medium ruby. This is downright exotic on the nose: mocha, coffee, graphite and coconut, lifted by sandalwood and cinnamon spice. Then dense, supple and fine-grained without coming across as heavy. Suggestion of aromatic tree bark. A seamless wine that spreads out horizontally on the back end and finishes with very fine tannins. A bit less extreme than the average 2003, but the 2005 Mouton has more class. I suspect this is on the verge of shutting down in bottle.

Score: 93

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006

Deep red-ruby. Exotic oak scents and lead pencil dominate the nose. Sweet, supple and lush, with a very fine-grained texture. The exotic oak character follows through on the palate. Very suave, but I don't find the fleshiness, extravagant ripeness and sheer size of the very best 2003s. Possesses unusually sound acidity for the vintage and finishes with building tannins.

Score: 91 - 94

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com 01 May 2005

(a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; 12.9% alcohol, compared to 13% for Clerc-Milon and 13.1% for Armailhac) Good full, bright ruby. Brooding, medicinal aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, graphite and tobacco, along with some exotic oak notes. Quite closed in the middle palate and not particularly fleshy for the year. Shows some slightly green flavors of tobacco and currant leaf. Most impressive today on the long, slow-mounting finish. Still, I don't yet find the ripeness or stuffing of the best 2003 Medocs today.

Score: 91 - 93

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com 01 May 2004

Blackberry, cherry and currant with just a hint of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely combination of ripe fruit and vanilla character. Goes on and on. Long and very stylish. Balanced and refined. Best after 2011. 23,330 cases made.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011+ 31 March 2006

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