Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2021

98 points James Suckling: "This shows blackcurrants, blackberries, violets, lavender, pencil shavings and hints of metal shavings. Medium- to full-bodied with a firm and juicy character of extremely polished and integrated tannins that caress your palate. Compact and poised with tension and focus. A blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. 13.1% alcohol. Drink after 2029. (7/8/24)"

97 points Rod Smith (TimAtkin.com) (May 2022)

95-97 points Wine Enthusiast: "Big, rich and sumptuously smoky, this has density and power. Its blackberry tones are structured, with a core of tannins. This very fine wine has all the classic attributes of a Mouton, just slightly lighter. (Jun 2022)"

96+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Mouton Rothschild has a deep garnet-purple color. It is very closed to start, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of ripe black plums, blackcurrant pastilles, licorice, and cedar chest, followed by hints of dark chocolate and iron ore, with a fragrant touch of violets. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit, with great tension and ripe, fine-grained tannins framing the electrically charged black fruit and mineral flavors, finishing long and perfumed. It tingles on the palate! Alcohol 13.1%. Drink: 2026-2046. (4/23/24)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Mouton Rothschild is gorgeous, just as it was en primeur. A wine of stature and vertical build, the 2021 is wonderfully poised from the outset. Beams of tannin add to an impression of explosive lift. Touches of mocha, spice, new leather, cedar and blood orange begin to emerge with a bit of time in the glass. The Grand Vin is pretty imposing at this stage. I would not be in a rush. Drink: 2031-2051. (Dec 2023)"

96 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Concentrated and characterful, layered and super-finely presented. Round and full, juicy and textured, more powdery than tense and grippy with almost blackcurrant skin texture, while juicy red and black cherry juice goes through the centre, added to by dried mint, wet stones, clove and liquorice. Serious, with power but poise, all the elements on show – perhaps not quite settled, but individually showing the complexity of this great wine in the making. Drinking Window: 2027-2050. (11/30/23)"

96 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, subtle watery rim. A very inviting bouquet with ripe, black fruits of the forest, hints of tobacco and nougat, underlaid with cassis and mint and just a touch of orange in the background. Compact on the palate with juicy cherries, fresh acidity, mineral and rich in finesse, supported by fine, silky tannins, giving the wine length and a very lively finish. Already approachable and seductive, but should be allowed to mature for a few more years. (3/22/24)"

95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "As to the Grand Vin 2021 Château Mouton Rothschild, this beauty is in the running for one of the wines of the vintage, and it brings more depth, richness, and texture than just about anything else in the Médoc. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in new barrels, it sports a dense purple/plum hue as well as powerful aromatics of spicy black fruits, leafy tobacco, graphite, and freshly sharpened pencils. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a building, layered mouthfeel and impressive concentration and intensity in its aromas and flavors, velvety tannins, and gorgeous finish. You'd be hard pressed to know this came from a challenging vintage. It's going to take at least 5-7 years to hit the early stages of its prime drinking window and will evolve gracefully over the following 20-25 years. Bravo. For tech geeks out there, this hit 13.1% alcohol, has an IPT of 59, and a pH of 3.73. Drink: 2029-2055. (4/3/24)"

95 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 10% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, a high percentage for Cabernet Sauvignon, but not the highest when you look at other recent vintages. This is near opaque in the glass, with a fine black plum hue, and a very thin rim. It has a nose of sweet red cherry and perfumed oak all intertwined, with a sweetness evident in the fruit which is rare in this vintage, all blackcurrants coated with icing sugar, a touch of blueberry even. Underneath come darker tones of toast, liquorice, slate and black bean, a touch of smoky oak, and even a twist of reduction. The palate follows in this same vein, with dark and polished fruits, blackcurrant, black cherry even, liquorice, toast and a touch of tar, all set in a polished texture which hides the simmering framework of tannins beneath with ease. This is a deliciously composed Mouton, brimming with substance and potential, but with great structure too;the frame of tannins is a masterpiece, substantial yet melting into the body of the wine, showing only at the finish, yet even here it coats the palate in a tight, elegant, polished fashion. Great length too. This comes as close to transcending the style of the vintage as much as any other left-bank wine. Very impressive. The alcohol on the label is 13%, with 12.8% on analysis. (Jan 2024)"

95 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc). Inky depths to the colour, with sweetened black cherry, damson and cassis fruit, and clear crushed rose petals, along with grilled rosemary, espresso, cocoa and sage. Supplies a generosity that is often lacking in the vintage, this stays bang on Mouton character and signature and even though in more classic style of the vintage, it is full of beauty. 100% new oak, 41hl/h yield. Harvest September 25 until October 6. The first vintage where it was Jean-Emmauel Danjoy from beginning to end, after Philippe Dhalluin's retiremement. Alcohol 13%. Drink: 2028-2041. (1/26/24)"