Château Mouton Rothschild 1960

Tasting note: Château Mouton Rothschild 1960

Winery: Château Mouton Rothschild
Region: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (dominant), Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Vintage: 1960
Alcohol content: approx. 12.5
Ageing: Aged in bottle for over 60 years, originally matured in French oak.

Appearance:
Deep garnet red colour with amber reflections and a faded brick hue on the rim. The colour betrays the age, but the clarity and luminous transparency testify to excellent ageing.

Nose:
A classic, tertiary bouquet with aromas of cedar wood, dried plums, tobacco leaves and damp forest floor. Beneath this, nuances of truffle, leather and old library leather resonate. Soft notes of black tea, muscovado sugar and a hint of dried fruit (figs, sultanas) complete the picture. A hint of graphite and chocolate dust adds sophistication.

Palate:
Elegant and structured, with surprising freshness for its age. The tannins are silky and polished, supported by a still-present acidity line. Layers of flavour of ripe black cherry, laurel, dried herbs and a mineral vein (iron, clay) dominate. Notes of candied violets, smoke and a subtle dark chocolate bitterness unfold in the background, creating balance and depth.

Finish:
Long-lasting and melancholic, with an echo of tobacco, sandalwood and a salty-mineral note reminiscent of the gravel-rich soils of Pauillac. A final flourish of dried orange and ginger root adds vibrancy.

Overall impression:
A Mouton Rothschild that epitomises the elegance and character of the 1960 vintage - a vintage synonymous with finesse rather than power. Despite its age, the wine is vital and complex, with an aristocratic restraint. The tertiary flavours dominate, but the structure reveals the signature of a great winery. A testimony to its time that celebrates the art of long-term ageing. Not opulent, but of undeniable dignity.

Serving suggestion:At 16-18 °C with braised venison aspic, venison fillet with cranberries or mature Comté cheese. Decanting is recommended to develop its finesse.
Ageing potential: At the peak of its journey - drink now to experience the remaining freshness. Stable for years to come if stored optimally (12-14 °C, dark).

"A wine that does not age, but grows into silence - a whisper of past decades in the glass."