Château Mouton Rothschild 1991 MAGNUM 1500ml

Château Mouton Rothschild 1991

Appellation: Pauillac, Bordeaux (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
Grape varieties: Approx. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc
Vintage rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆ (Average - Challenging year)
Optimal drinking window: Now - 2025 (at the peak, consume quickly)
Price range (current): €350-€550 (auction prices, depending on storage)

Vintage 1991 in Bordeaux

• Climatic conditions: A wet, cool summer with late early frosts led to reduced ripeness and lower yields.

• Challenges: September rains diluted flavours, so strict selection was required.

• Overall quality: One of the weakest vintages of the 1990s; only top domains with rigorous selection produced appealing wines.

Sensory analysis

1. Colour: Medium garnet red with the beginnings of a brick rim (signs of age).

2. Nose:

   • Primary aromas: Ripe cherries, plum, cedar, tobacco.

   • Secondary notes: Leather, damp earth, truffle (typical of mature Bordeaux).

   • No lush fruit bouquet - rather restrained and elegant.

3. Palate:

   • Medium-bodied, less concentrated than great vintages.

   • Tannins soft and integrated, but with a slight astringency.

   • Acidity emphasised (reflection of the cool vintage).

   • Finish of medium length, characterised by smoke and wild berries.

Special features of Mouton Rothschild

• Artist's label: Designed by Japanese stage designer Setsuko Asakura (theme: dramatic masks).

• Winemaker's achievement: Strict selection (only 40% of the harvest used) resulted in a respectable, albeit light, wine.

• Typicality: Shows Mouton's characteristic cedar note, but less opulence than e.g. 1989 or 1990.

Evaluation & ageing potential

• Current state: At its peak - further ageing will bring little gain.

• Drinking recommendation:

  • Decant: 60-90 minutes before serving.

  • Temperature: 16-18°C.

  • Food pairing: Game, mushroom risotto, mature Comté cheese.

• Parker Points: 88/100 (Robert Parker: "Light but charming").

• Long-term potential: Not suitable for long storage - enjoy quickly!

Market value & investment

• Price trend: Stagnating (weak vintage with no potential for improvement).

• Buy recommendation: Only for collectors of the Château or vintage enthusiasts; better alternatives exist (e.g. Mouton 1986, 1995).

Conclusion

The 1991 Mouton Rothschildis an elegant, approachable wine that retains the signature of the terroir despite climatic adversities. It surprises with complexity with age, but never reaches the depth of great vintages. Ideal for a historical tasting or as an accompaniment to fine autumn cuisine - but not an investment candidate.

💡 Tip: Check the storage conditions carefully - this vintage reacts sensitively to fluctuations!