Château Mouton Rothschild 1979

Château Mouton Rothschild 1979

📜 The label

The label for the 1979 vintage was designed by Japanese artist Hisao Domoto (1928-2013). Domoto, who initially studied traditional Japanese painting, was inspired by Western abstract art after a trip to Europe. His design for Mouton Rothschild is a brilliant example of his third creative period and is the first label designedby a Japanese artist for the winery.

The wine bottle itself does not provide any information about its alcohol content; there is no ABV value noted on the label.

🍷 The wine

The 1979 Château Mouton Rothschild is a Bordeaux red wine from the renowned Pauillacappellation and carries the prestigious classification of "Premier Grand Cru Classé" according to the Bordeaux Classification of 1855.

• Grape varieties: Typical for the region, the cuvée is made up of a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (12%) and Cabernet Franc (9%).

• Character & drinking maturity: The reviews paint a picture of a wine that is now fully ripe. It is often described as elegant, medium-bodied and very drinkable. The wine has an appealing, bright red-orange colour with slight signs of ageing.

Flavour profile

On the nose, the 1979 Mouton Rothschild displays a complex bouquet with notes of cedar wood, spices, pepper and blackcurrants. In the mouth, it impresses with its velvety, supple tannins and a well-structured texture without being overly powerful. Flavours of dried plums, ripe cherries, chocolate, leather and earth complete the taste experience.

The wine has a vital acidity that lends it freshness, whereby the focus is on the acidity and not primarily on the fruit character. The finish is described as typical of the vintage - not very long, but nevertheless expressive.

⭐ Reviews

The critical reviews for this vintage are mixed, indicating a certain character that is not equally appreciated by all reviewers:

The average community rating is 89-92 points, which reflects the positive, if not entirely euphoric, reception by consumers.

💰 Prices & availability

Today, the 1979 Mouton Rothschild is mainly sold at auctions and by specialised dealers. The price varies greatly depending on the condition of the bottle (fill level, label, capsule), size (half, normal, magnum or double magnum bottle) and the specific trading location.

The estimated prices for a regular bottle at auctions usually range from USD 250 to 350, although the hammer price can be significantly higher (e.g. USD 705 for a double magnum)【19†L5】.

📌 Summary

Château Mouton Rothschild 1979 is an elegant, mature Bordeaux from one of the great names of the Médoc. The label by Japanese artist Hisao Domoto gives it a high collector's value. In terms of flavour, the wine is a representative Pauillac of its time: structured, acidic and with a complex, ripe bouquet. It is now at the peak of its drinking maturity and should be savoured over the next few years, as it will not gain any more complexity.

Sources

• Bottles and labels: Christie's, Sotheby's, Whisky.Auction

• Tasting notes: Falstaff, Wine.com, CellarTracker

• Ratings: Wine Spectator, Tastingbook.com, Winebid

• Prices: Vinsgrandscrus.fr, Winebid, Christie's