Ch.Mouton Rothschild 1981 750ml

Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition Jan 1998
This has always been an uninspiring Mouton, but it has become increasingly attenuated, with a frightfully austere personality. The color is a medium dark ruby with some amber at the edge. The nose is composed largely of earth, wood, and dusty, dried red fruit aromas. In the mouth, this compact wine reveals medium body, excruciatingly high tannin, and little fruit. In my opinion, it is drying out, and in large measure is a huge disappointment. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted 10/97
Drink 1997 - 1997

The name Rothschild has been associated with fine wines for almost a century and a half when vines first appeared on what is now known as the Mouton-Rothschild estate in the early 18th century. The Rothschild family had bought the property in 1853, and its reputation was rapidly restored. In due course the driving force was Baron Philippe de Rothschild who assumed control in 1922.
He was a dynamic figure who revolutionised much of the running of the estate. He was the first to introduce château-bottling, as early as 1924, and instigated the practice, after the Second World War, of employing a different artist each year to design the label. Miró, Chagall, Braque, Picasso, Warhol, Bacon, Balthus, Tàpies and a myriad of famous artists have contributed to this tradition.
His greatest achievement was to have Mouton upgraded to 1st Growth Status in 1973, the only change ever to be made to the 1855 Classification. For decades the price of Mouton had matched, and frequently surpassed, that of the other First Growths, so the logic for the promotion was undeniable. Picasso was engaged to design that vintage’s label. Philippe died in 1988 and the estate passed into the hands of his daughter, Philippine.

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