2023 Mouton Rothschild

Pulled from just 40% of the production, the 2023 Château Mouton Rothschild is based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot that will see 18 months in new barrels. Tasting like the blood of Cabernet with its smoky red, black, and blue fruits, tobacco leaf, graphite, and cedar-driven aromatics, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, polished, layered mouthfeel, beautiful concentration, and ripe, velvety tannins. Not the massive style of the 2022, it’s more in line with the 2016. This rich, elegant, seamless 2023 will need a decade to hit its prime.

Cuban cigars, blackberries, flowers, smoke, espresso, spice, fruitcake, licorice, roasted nuts, and currants are a treat in the perfume. The palate offers layers of energetic, long, deep, fruits with a racy edge. The wine builds as it lingers with the fruit moving from red, to black, and back to red, with a refreshing sprig of mint, a touch of chocolate, and a dash of spice, adding to the complexity. The key to the vintage initial heat spell in August helped propel the grapes to phenolic ripeness. The ability to wait for the moment of their choice, allowing for a longer hangtime for the Cabernet played a major role this year. The wine blends 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. Only 2010 had more Cabernet in the blend. 13.3% ABV, 3.79 pH. The harvest took place September 7 - September 30.

This is the most structured Mouton since the great 2016, with tannins that start slowly and then take off. It’s muscular and toned. It’s full-bodied but doesn’t come across too heavy. It builds up in intensity and goes on and on and on. It just keeps expanding. I took a double take here. 93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot.