Highest Cabernet Sauvignon on record (since 94% for the 2010 vintage), stately and reserved at first, then totally joyful. The right austerity, coupled with squid ink character and fabulous hidden depths that are going to take their time to fully unroll, with the incense of the oak coming through only after a good 10 minutes in the glass, you barely perceive it on the first tasting. What a beautiful Mouton, great stuff from wine director Jean-Philippe Danjoy. 52% Grand Vin, basically pure old vine Cabernet. And an interesting side note - in September there was no weekend picking, a clear indication that there was no stress about the harvest dates. 3.76pH. Harvest September 5 to 20. 100% new oak.

Pure class on the nose, dried blackcurrant and, dark chocolate, crushed stone and wild lavender, several serious steps up from Le Petit Mouton, just tasted. The palate possesses this harmony, with currant, blackcurrant, black olive, slate and violets, with a rich wrapping of powdery tannins which pervade the entire palate while never distracting from the fruit, leading to a finely grained finish which has a just tear-jerking sense of harmony. This young barrel sample sends shivers down my spine. And the length, of course, is superb, with great tannic harmony and length. The grand vin from Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy and team has a blend of 98.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.8% Merlot (the highest concentration of Cabernet ever in the grand vin here), the fruit from the more elevated parcels on the Plateau de Carruades, Plateau de Mouton and also a small parcel of more westerly vines, the map of the source of the fruit most closely resembling those from the 2022 and 2019 vintages. All in all, stunning.

Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Château Mouton Rothschild is based on 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot that's resting in 100% new barrels. A blockbuster nose of crème de cassis, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and graphite gives way to a rich, powerful, yet focused and precise Mouton on the palate, with the signature texture this estate is known for, flawless balance, ripe, silky tannins, integrated acidity, and a gorgeous finish. It hit 13.1% alcohol with a pH of 3.76. It's unquestionably a beautiful Mouton in the making, and this château continues to fire on all cylinders.