HERMITAGE SPIRIT

Decanter : ***** 19 Maturity: 2016-2040

Black red, concentrated black fruits, rich satiny/velvety yet firm texture, rich, plummy, spicy, an explosion of aromas and flavours, surrounded and controlled by superb tannins, a sensually expressive wine.

Domaine

A tremendously deep, almost black colour with magnificent violet highlights. The distinguished and complex nose offers a wide range of aromas in which notes of bilberry, blackcurrant and blond tobacco mingle with subtle aromas of cedarwood and spice. All the density and refinement of the wine is immediately evident on the palate. Very forward ripe fruit is perfectly integrated with patrician, well-rounded tannins, displaying remarkable structure and balance. The opulent and long finish confirm the truly noteworthy success of this Mouton Rothschild, for which no effort was spared in enabling the wine to fully express the exceptional qualities of the 2009 vintage.

Jancis Robinson : 18,5 Maturity: 2020-2040

48% of the crop, picked 3 days earlier than usual because the grapes were so ripe. Average yield 45 hl/ha. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot. Very dark indeed. Very Mouton. Very exotic, minerals, spice and old ladies’ handbags. Lovely topnotes. Real excitement on the nose here. Obviously great density but lots of grace notes. Lovely palate entry and glossy texture. Then again drier and a little more astringent than its peers on the finish. A difficult wine to mark because the nose is SO gorgeous! I think it may require just a bit more patience than some. Just seemed in a slightly low register when I tasted it. All the Mouton wines had ruder tannins than usual in 2009. 13.1%

Jean-Marc Quarin : 18,25 (96)

Showing an intense, dark, black and purple color, this wine offers a great nose of black fruits, fresh, deep and complex. Beautifully broad on entry. The 2009 Mouton then develops fat and juicy, with complex taste and an aromatic mid-palate. It delivers a lovely flesh along with a great length and the return of black fruit flavors. It boasts very well-coated tannins and no austerity whatsoever, even though set in Pauillac. This 2009 Mouton Rothschild ends on a superbly fat and vivid finish. Alcohol content: 13.1% - pH: 3.8 - IPT : 78 - A blend of 88 % cabernet sauvignon and 12 % merlot.

Le Point, Guide Jacques Dupont # 1964 : 19

Parker # 199 : 99+ Maturity: -

The 2009 Mouton Rothschild has a striking label from Anish Kapoor. The wine is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot that begs comparison as a young wine with what the 1982 tasted like in 1985 or, I suspect, what the 1959 may have tasted like in 1962. Representing 50% of their production, the wine has an inky purple color to the rim and not terribly high alcohol for a 2009 (13.2%), but that is reflected by the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a remarkable nose of lead pencil shavings, violets, creme de cassis and subtle barrique smells. It is stunningly opulent, fat, and super-concentrated, but the luxurious fruit tends to conceal some rather formidable tannins in the finish. This is an amazing wine that will be slightly more drinkable at an earlier age than I thought from barrel, but capable of lasting 50 or more years. Kudos to the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and the entire Mouton team, lead by Monsieur Dalhuin.

The New Bordeaux (Jane Anson) : 97-98

The main event, and right from the start this is restrained, well defined and accomplished. As with Lafite, there is gentleness to the nose that you rarely see in a first growth at this stage. Wonderful mix of minty freshness on the top palate, and velvety rich fruits underneath. This has depth and stature, but has a softness that caresses the palate and is entirely seductive. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot. Picking again Sept 23 to Oct 6. Average temperature here was 13.9, (0.5 higher than the 30 year average), and rainfall was 850.5mm (30mm less than the 30 year average).

The Wine Doctor : 19-19,5+/20

Cabernet Sauvignon 88%, Merlot 12%. Alcohol a very understated 13.1%. Like its stablemates also a deeply coloured but certainly not opaque wine, far from it. Very light blue tinge. The nose is a little reticent despite this sample having been decanted - not for long I should stress. A very linear attack of fruit on the nose, well honed with deep spice. On the palate it is the very svelte nature of the composition that impresses most, a tightly packed and silky layer of fruit coming first, before it slowly reveals a well-matched layer of ripe and delightfully grainy tannins beneath. Underneath it all a fine layer of acidity. Overall a very harmonious and yet richly composed wine, with all the necessary elements in place. It has more substance than Lafite, is more flashy and spicy, but with perhaps a less fine and direct definition, with a deeper layer of velvet hidden within its tannins. So broad and very pleasing on the palate, this is a superb and very typical Mouton that should please Mouton drinkers everywhere. The finish brings a surge of fruit, and it is very long indeed. I could hold this wine in my mouth forever if that were possible.