Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2005 – 750ml Redneck Wine Company

98pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

The 2005 Château Mouton-Rothschild is a deeply impressive First Growth. It has been blessed with a sensational nose that comes racing out of the blocks with audacious scents of black fruit, cedar, smoke and pencil box (Philippe Dhalluin mentioned that the signature smokiness/fireside hearth was tangible in around 80% of the vats during élevage). There is a sense of bravura here, of aristocracy. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous black fruit, perhaps beginning to soften in texture, one or two years off its plateau. There are layers and layers of black fruit intermingling with graphite and black pepper, and it wisely reins everything in on the finish that is more classic in style and in keeping with the vintage. If you are fortunate enough to have this wine in your cellar, even though those tannins are starting to be abraded by time, afford it another five or six years. Tasted August 2016.

98pts Wine Spectator
Gorgeous, with singed alder and juniper notes starting to strut their stuff, while the immense core of steeped red currant, blackberry and plum fruit continues to wait in reserve. A light sanguine thread weaves in on the back end, which is driven by a serious bolt of iron. Shows terrific grip, length and cut. A brick-house Pauillac built for the long haul.—Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017).

98pts James Suckling
This accelerates on the palate with incredibly ripe tannins and finesse. Full body, roasted fruit, leather and grilled meat. Dried flowers, too. It shows superb tannin backbone and polish. Tight and youthful. Just starting to open. Better in 2018.

96pts Wilfred Wong
Well, one can say classic or statuesque, I am loving the 2005 Château Mouton Rothschild for its firm grip on the palate; while almost seems too fat in some ways, it stays the course and keeps its coating tannins in its back pocket. Deep ruby color; black fruit aromas are effusive and bright, some graphite and sweet oak show a fine interplay; medium bodied, firm and juicy on the palate, with firm tannins; beautiful black fruit flavors, tempered with sweet oak and earth; long finish, youthful aftertaste.

95pts Wine Enthusiast
If 2005 was a rich year, Mouton reaches the heights of richness. Almost too rich, too New World, but you have to be impressed by the aromatic intensity of the black fruits, the dense, firm tannins, and the superripe black juice and licorice flavors. The wood is still too overpowering and needs time to settle in.

Winemaker Notes
A superb Mouton, the 2005 is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. Under the new administrator, Philippe Dalhuin, the strictest selection of any recent vintage was instituted (64% of the production was used), and the 2005’s 13.5% natural alcohol is one of the highest ever achieved at this estate.