Quality 992 | Brand 999 | Economics 974 | buzz brand, investment staple
Quality: Predicted life of 34 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group for the 2005 vintage, which averages 15 years Brand: #1 Most sought after wine globally, with 93,283 searches on Wine-Searcher per month Economics: #1 most active wine at auction, its top 5 vintages having seen 5,632 75cl equivalent bottles traded in the past year Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 151,058 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

This is pure pleasure, with tiny pulses of electricity, brushed leather, sulphur, loam, truffle, blackberry, black cherry, with touches of silky tannins, smoked caramel and black chocolate. A wine that makes you smile, so much depth and power, barely out of its primary phase, but we are starting now to get the whole picture of what it will become. There is a lush edge to the tannins now that was not the case even two years ago. Such a different expression from the 2009 and 2010 Mouton, with this a little more old school in its charms, and for me you can now project yourself foraward, more like the 1986, a little dry and strict at first, but finessed and gorgeous, delivering grip, punch and magic. Eric Tourbier and Philippe Dhalluin on the technical team. 63% first wine, extremely low for the time (lowest since 1975, whereas today they are regularly below 50%). If you are going to open this anytime soon, think of it as a bottle to enjoy very slowly over four or five hours seeing the nuances develop. 100% new oak.
Tasted June 2022 - Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

One of the highlights in this vertical, the 2005 Mouton Rothschild is exceptional. Dark, powerful and explosive on the palate, the 2005 is endowed with magnificent depth and richness. Just at the early part of its drinking window, the 2005 is sure to drink well for many years from here, especially if it is given a little bit of air. The 2005 is a stunning Mouton, but it needs time to fully blossom. Harvest took place between September 21 and October 6. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and just 1% Cabernet Franc.

Technical Director/Chief Winemaker Philippe Dhalluin said this was a special year for him, because he considers it his first great vintage—he started in 2004. Deep garnet with hint of brick, the 2005 Mouton Rothschild is evolving into unabashed, flamboyant notes of Christmas cake, plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries, eucalyptus and crème de cassis with beautifully fragrant wafts of potpourri, incense, Indian spices and cigar box. Full-bodied, the palate performs vinous pirouettes with dazzling exotic spice, floral and earthy nuances, framed by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced.

Dark red, narrow bricking rim; already a seductive early bouquet of cabernet cassis and fine Left Bank ‘gravel’; beautifully, seductively balanced, concentrated yet restrained, freshly defined in acidity, particularly fine in its tannin textures; an abundant core of sweet cassis fruit, long and fine, subtly racy, exceptionally fine boned, and with great, delicate yet intense sweetness of fruit on a very long finish. A gorgeously textured, beautifully refined, classic Mouton Rothschild, clearly the finest since 1961, and with many of the characteristics of core fruit and polished texture I remember enjoying in ’61 Mouton when it was barely 20 years old

The 2005 Château Mouton-Rothschild is a deeply impressive First Growth. It has been blessed with a sensational nose that comes racing out of the blocks with audacious scents of black fruit, cedar, smoke and pencil box (Philippe Dhalluin mentioned that the signature smokiness/fireside hearth was tangible in around 80% of the vats during élevage). There is a sense of bravura here, of aristocracy. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous black fruit, perhaps beginning to soften in texture, one or two years off its plateau. There are layers and layers of black fruit intermingling with graphite and black pepper, and it wisely reins everything in on the finish that is more classic in style and in keeping with the vintage. If you are fortunate enough to have this wine in your cellar, even though those tannins are starting to be abraded by time, afford it another five or six years. Tasted August 2016.
- robertparker.com, Jan 2017

Gorgeous, with singed alder and juniper notes starting to strut their stuff, while the immense core of steeped red currant, blackberry and plum fruit continues to wait in reserve. A light sanguine thread weaves in on the back end, which is driven by a serious bolt of iron. Shows terrific grip, length and cut. A brick-house Pauillac built for the long haul.--Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017). Best from 2020 through 2050. JM

This accelerates on the palate with incredibly ripe tannins and finesse. Full body, roasted fruit, leather and grilled meat. Dried flowers, too. It shows superb tannin backbone and polish. Tight and youthful. Just starting to open. Currant and berry undertones with lead pencil are impressive. Better in 2018 but so delicious now.

Several bottles of Mouton 2005, from around its 12th birthday to date, have shown it to be more open and expressive than expected. There is immense structure and power in this goliath of a wine, but it is framed by the most intoxicating perfume, reminiscent of the very best vintages of this legendary first growth. The profile is far more rustic and meaty than the purity from its Pauillac peers, yet there is an incredible concentration of sweet, dark fruit as well as perfectly integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish. Exceptional.

The 2005 Mouton Rothschild (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc) has a sensational nose of crème de cassis and incense as well as a touch of lead pencil shavings and forest floor. Dense purple, this is one of the biggest, richest wines I tasted from the Médoc. It is full-bodied, pure, and impressively endowed. Certainly the selection process and the vineyard have come through in admirable form. This wine has a certain accessibility due to the sweetness of the tannin, but it is multidimensional, with a majestic mouthfeel and length. Drink it over the next 30+ years.
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #219, Jun 2015)

Mid shaded crimson. Perfumed, almost floral, seductive nose. Dry finish with tannins still quite prominent. Seems as though the extraction was quite enthusiastic! (JR)

The 2005 Château Mouton Rothschild is another perfect wine from this incredible estate. Based on 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, from a cooler yet incredibly dry vintage, it’s not far off the style of the 2009 and has a layered, ripe, sexy style that's just a joy to drink today. Full-bodied and concentrated, it offers loads of red and black fruits, minty herbs, tobacco, spice, and hints of chocolate. It's one of those intense, powerful wines that somehow manages to stay flawlessly balanced, elegant, and graceful. It will have 50-60 years of overall longevity, but it's certainly drinking brilliantly today as well. May 2023