Mouton Rothschild 2005 Case of 12 btl.

The wine has an attractive colour, dark, deep and still very young, and an elegant, complex nose that combines refined notes of oak, toast and vanilla with intense, wild berry fruit. Touches of mint and spice complete the array, bringing freshness and originality.

The palate is both powerful and substantial, revealing attractively close-knit, juicy and succulent tannins combined with concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry flavours that reinforce the impression of fullness of flavour.

The finish is very long, carried by a touch of sweetness and the perfect expression of rich, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon typical of great Pauillac vintages.

When to drink: 2020 to 2045
1% Cabernet Franc, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon. ‘Today, if you decant it four hours before, you really can enjoy this vintage – my favourite in recent years to drink.’ Dark lustrous ruby. Great energy. Sweet and bloody and maybe a little more transparent than the average Mouton but lots of appeal. Mineral notes. He deliberately made a less extracted wine. Masses of tannin and masses of fruit here. Jancis Robinson

The 2005 Mouton-Rothschild has developed magnificently, and is even better than I remember. The final blend was 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Stunning notes of crème de cassis, melted asphalt, roasted espresso and cedarwood are present in this young, full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Mouton. Just beginning to enter its adolescence, it should hit full maturity in 10-15 years and last for 50 or more. The greatness of this vintage is increasingly apparent as the wines throw off their cloaks of tannin. Drink 2024-2065.