Château Mouton Cadet Philippe De Rothschild 1988

Château Mouton Cadet Philippe de Rothschild 1988

This report sheds light on the history, characteristics and current condition of the 1988 Mouton Cadet. The information is based on available sources from wine merchants, auction houses and community reviews.

1. Historical classification: the beginning of an era

The 1988 vintage is particularly significant for the Mouton Cadet brand for two reasons:

• The end of an era:Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the visionary founder of the brand, died in 1988. He had created Mouton Cadet in 1930 out of necessity, after several poor harvests, to market a wine that did not meet the quality standards of Château Mouton Rothschild. The name "Cadet" (French for "the younger") was an allusion to his own position as the youngest son of the family.

• The beginning of a new one:when the Baron died in the same year, his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, took over the management of the company and became the brand's new ambassador. The 1988 vintage thus symbolises the threshold between two leadership eras of the Rothschild family.

At the time of bottling, Mouton Cadet was already an established brand, having been successfully marketed in the UK and the USA in the 1950s and 1960s, and a white wine was added in the 1970s.

2. Wine description and character

The 1988 Mouton Cadet is a red Bordeaux cuvée made from a classic blend of grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It has been described as a medium-bodied wine that should ideally be drunk relatively young. However, due to its age, bottles received now show clear signs of maturity.

Sensory impressions (based on tasting notes from 2012-2022):

• Appearance: the wines show clear signs of ageing and are described as "brick coloured". A strong sediment has often formed in the bottle.

• Nose: The bouquet is ripe and earthy. Descriptions include notes of autumn leaves, dried red and blackcurrants, dried orange peel, vanilla, cherry, oak, road dust and old chocolate.

• Palate: On the palate, the wine has a medium body and a leathery texture. The flavour is described as ripe, round and more pleasant than the nose, with aromas of ripe red fruit, dried leather, coffee and undergrowth. The finish is medium-long and dry. The acidity is described as low.

A tasting from 2012 judged: "Still hanging in there but this is on its last leg" and awarded 82 out of a possible 100 points.

3. 1988 vintage in Bordeaux

In Bordeaux, 1988 is considered a classic, structured vintage that is known for its longevity.This characteristic also benefited the more affordable Mouton Cadet, which, according to merchants, showed a "tremendous ability to age gracefully" in such a good year.

4. Drinking recommendation and current condition

The original drinking period for this wine was given as 1991-1994. However, it is consistently emphasised that the 1988 Mouton Cadet was not designed to age for decades.

• Beyond the peak: Most sources agree that the wine has passed its peak.

• Interesting experience: Despite its age, a bottle can still offer a fascinating experience if stored well. One CellarTracker user described how the wine unfolded for about 40 minutes after opening, showing a surprising structure and complexity, before quickly losing quality. He advised drinking the bottle immediately after opening.

• Serving temperature: The ideal serving temperature for red wines from Mouton Cadet is 15-17°C.

5. Price and market information

The 1988 Mouton Cadet is no longer offered in regular shops, but occasionally appears at auctions.

• Price range:The price for a 0.75-litre bottle has recently been between around 30 and 80 US dollars, depending on the condition of the bottle and the auction house.

• Current example: A bottle was auctioned for USD 51 in December 2024.

• Magnum bottles:Larger formats such as magnums (1.5 litres) are rarer and achieve correspondingly higher prices (e.g. 60 euros for a completed auction).

• Current asking price: A bottle was recently offered for €81.

6. Conclusion: A wine for lovers of wine history

Château Mouton Cadet 1988is not a wine that you should buy today for its freshness or youthful fruit. It is far past its zenith.

Its value today lies in its history. It is a tangible piece of winemaking history that marks the end of an era under Baron Philippe de Rothschild and the beginning of his daughter Philippine's leadership. For the curious wine connoisseur, a bottle of this wine offers a unique, if risky, opportunity to experience a Bordeaux just before its final decline - a "fascinating experience", as one collector put it.It is an interesting curiosity for collectors who want to trace the development of one of the world's most famous wine brands.

If you get hold of a bottle, drink it as soon as you open it to savour the last nuances of its long journey.