Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 2006

99 points (19.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "We confirm our judgment on the 2006, which should catch up with the mythical 1945 with its tremendous power and richness. (2010)"

99 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "A splendid silky texture, thanks to an élevage of admirable precision, great power, and great refinement, all in magical balance. (2011)"

97 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. This has a beautifully defined, crystalline bouquet with blackberry, plum and a touch of violets; beguiling lift from the glass, its fingers caressing the senses and luring you back into the glass. There is tangible mineralite here, a Pauillac that exudes breeding. The palate is very smooth and harmonious, perfect balance, a more feminine wine but there is undoubtedly still a great deal of power and cohesion. Lingers beautifully on the finish. Divine. Tasted January 2010. (Sep 2010)"

97 points and 'Top 100 Cellar Selections 2009 (#82)', Wine Enthusiast: "At the time it was shown as a barrel sample in early 2007, this was the best wine of 2006. That accolade remains. It has all the power of the Cabernet Sauvignon in Pauillac, which was the greatest success of the vintage. That power comes from the dense tannins as well as the black plum and spice flavors and minerality. The texture becomes velvet, giving a final richness, but never losing its long aging potential. In a year that is good, but not at the top, Mouton has made a great wine. (Dec 2009)"

96 points Robert Parker: "A major sleeper of the vintage and a great effort, the 2006 Mouton-Rothschild boasts abundant notes of crème de cassis, licorice, truffles, forest floor and cedarwood. The stunning aromatics are still somewhat primary, but the wine is full-bodied with sweet, abundant tannin. Built like a skyscraper with multiple dimensions, this super-concentrated, beautiful blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot should drink well for 30+ years. Drink: 2014-2045. (Dec 2014)"

96 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "($999 list) Bright ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of cassis, blueberry, cedar and graphite. Wonderfully pure and silky in the mouth, with great subtle, slow-building intensity and superb energy and thrust. A real essence of cabernet sauvignon and Mouton terroir This one really rattled my brain-in the gentlest way. As silky as it is, it possesses bottomless depths. Finishes with big but noble tannins and outstanding length. I loved this wine the spring after the harvest, and it's even more impressive today. This should go on for decades, but today it's hard to imagine this wine going through an extended sullen stage. By the way, I'm a great fan of Lucien Freud's work, but his label for this wine does not do justice to the juice inside the bottle. (May/Jun 2009)"