CHATEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1er Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac 2002 Bottle

Description

Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2002 is an elegant, expressive Pauillac that marries power with polish. Deep ruby with a slight garnet rim, it opens with vibrant blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, plus violet, cedar and pencil lead; olive tapenade, smoked meat and a fine graphite minerality add focus. Medium plus to full bodied, the palate shows silky fine tannins, plum, dark chocolate and espresso, with lively acidity and a saline mineral thread carrying to a long spice driven finish. Approachable now with decanting yet built for medium term cellaring. Drink 2026 to 2040. Critics: Wine Enthusiast 97 ; "Big and bold, classic Mouton." Decanter 95 ; "Opulent yet restrained." Wine Advocate 93 ; "Backward, chewy, well endowed; needs patience."

ABOUT THIS WINE
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1er Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 2002 is an elegant and expressive example from a warm classic Bordeaux vintage, marrying Pauillac power with polish and early approachable complexity. The colour is a deep ruby with a slight garnet rim that signals the onset of development while retaining youthful clarity. The nose opens with vibrant blackcurrant and blackberry fruit framed by floral violet and a bright seam of black cherry. With aeration the bouquet deepens to reveal cedar, cigar box and pencil lead, together with savoury notes of olive tapenade, smoked meat and a hint of soy. A fine graphite and crushed stone minerality runs through, lending focus and precision.

On the palate the wine is medium plus to full bodied with an ample yet refined frame. Fine grained tannins provide backbone and structure while remaining silky rather than aggressive. Primary dark fruit of blackcurrant, plum and dark cherry is complemented by layers of dark chocolate, espresso and a gentle touch of clove from careful oak handling. Acidity is lively enough to give drive and freshness, ensuring the wine feels balanced and energetic rather than heavy. The mid palate shows complexity with savoury herb nuances and a subtle saline thread that carries the flavours to a long mineral and spice driven finish.

The 2002 vintage in Bordeaux offered warm conditions that produced ripe, concentrated fruit with softening tannins, and at Mouton the result is a wine that combines generosity with structure and clarity. This bottling is approachable now with decanting but has the substance to develop further tertiary nuance with medium term cellaring. Drink 2026 to 2040, peaking 2028 to 2036. Serve with roast or braised beef, lamb with herb crust, game and mature hard cheeses, or dishes featuring truffle and wild mushrooms that will complement the wine's savoury depth and refined texture.

*****

WINE ENTHUSIAST 97 points
96-98 Barrel sample. Big and bold, this is a classic Mouton, with the difference of acidity and freshness. The wine's structure shows some powerful tannins, giving richness balanced by a crisp touch at the end. — Roger Voss

DECANTER 95 points
Drinking Window: 2015 - 2020
Opulent yet restrained aromas which give the impression of ripeness. A sense of hedonism pervades here – and it’s very welcome too. Long and elegant with good depth of fruit, well woven tannins and a long, sensuous finish.