Château Mouton Rothschild 1973

Château Mouton Rothschild 1973

1.Introduction & Historical Context
The 1973 vintage of Château Mouton Rothschild is a historically significant wine for several reasons. It dates from the year in which, after decades of endeavour, the estate was finally officially elevated from Second Growth to First Growth(Premier Cru) in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855. This was a unique and triumphant moment, which Baron Philippe de Rothschildcelebratedwith the famous label motto "Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change" ("I am first, I was second, Mouton does not change").

The label for this vintage, designed by surrealist artist Pablo Picasso, shows a detailed still life with a fruit and flower composition. It is one of the most famous and sought-after Mouton labels ever. Picasso's heirs only authorised the use of this motif on the condition that it be used exclusively for the 1973 vintage.

2.Vintage rating & weather
The 1973 vintage in Bordeaux is generally regarded as difficult and average. A cold, rainy spring and summer were followed by a hot, sunny September, which brought a late rescue. The grapes did not reach optimum ripeness, and most of the wines of the vintage are light, precocious and not very concentrated. Thanks to rigorous selection and great efforts in the cellar, Mouton Rothschild succeeded in producing one of the best wines of the vintage.

3. Sensory description (based on numerous professional tastings over the decades)

• Colour: Medium garnet red, already with clear brick tones on the rim (typical of mature Bordeaux).

• Nose: Classic, developed Mouton aromas with cedar wood, tobacco, fine leather notes and dried herbs. Underneath are restrained fruit flavours of ripe blackcurrant (cassis) and plum. With increasing aeration, slightly animal and undergrowth-like nuances can also emerge.

• Palate:Medium to light-bodied, with a pleasant acidity structure. The tannins are fully integrated and silky. The fruit has receded, dominated by tertiary flavours of tobacco, leather, earth and a slight truffle note. The length is moderate, not of the powerful, long-lasting nature of great Mouton vintages.

• Overall:An elegant, fragrant and fully mature wine that lives more from complexity and terroir character than from fruit power or potency.

4.Drinking maturity & ageing potential
The 1973 Mouton has been ready to drink for many yearsand is probably at the peak of its development. It does not have the constitution or tannin structure to age for another decade. Its appeal lies in its complete tertiary development. Immediate consumptionis recommendedfor bottles that are still available. When storing, cool (12-14°C), dark and protected from shocks are crucial. The wine should be carefully decanted before consumption to separate the sediment and aerate it.

5. Market position & value
The value of the 1973 Mouton Rothschild is driven almost entirely by its historic label and its symbolic power, not by its sensory quality compared to top vintages. It is a coveted collector's item for lovers of Mouton labelling art and wine history.
On the auction market, it achieves prices that are significantly higher than those of other, possibly better vintages from the 1970s (with the exception of the excellent 1970). The price is typically in the mid three-digit range per bottle (€), depending on condition and provenance.

6. Conclusion
The Château Mouton Rothschild 1973 is a historical document in bottle form. It epitomises one of the estate's greatest triumphs and bears an incomparable work of art by Picasso on the label.
As a pleasure wine, it is a charming, fully mature and classic Bordeaux, but it does not reach the greatness and depth of legendary vintages such as 1945, 1959, 1982 or 1986. Its greatest value lies in its cultural and historical significance, and for a special occasion it is a fascinating bottle worth telling, from which one should not expect spectacular power but elegant, mature complexity.

Note: For a wine of this age, the provenance(storage since bottling) is absolutely crucial to the quality. Bottles that have been kept cool and dark without gaps offer a much better experience.