By Julie Carpentier
In the (millenium) ram’s shoes
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The foundation of Chateau Mouton Rothschild can be dated back to 1853, when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, an English member of the Rothschild family, purchased a property in Pauillac called Château Brane-Mouton and renamed it Château Mouton Rothschild.
In 1922 Baron Philippe, then only twenty, decided to take over the running of the estate. At his death, the property is passed on to Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, maintaining the family’s estates at the highest level (it is under her management in 1973 that the newest of the 1st Growths will be awarded the status of “First Growth”).
“Sought-after great work-of-art-bottles”
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One of the original features of Château Mouton Rothschild: each year since 1945, label is being illustrated with an artwork by a leading painter, specially created for the vintage. The most significant signatures in contemporary art, from Dali to Bacon, have blended their names with Château Mouton Rothschild. In celebration of the new millennium, Baroness Philippine decided to break with tradition. The little “Augsburg Ram”, a silver-gilt drinking vessel created around 1590 by a German master goldsmith and kept in the Museum of Wine in Art at Mouton, will be the only subject of this millennium bottle. The ram being historically recognised as the symbol of Château Mouton Rothschild, the tutelary figure is enamelled in relief in scintillating gold on a black heavy-glassed bottle.
Mouton Rothschild 2000 – beside its “work of art” status, is to be added on to the legendary vintages list of the estate. This top-flight Mouton, full- bodied, with soft and beautiful ripe tannins is a brilliant achievement, with anticipated maturity expected around 2020. It is unquestionably a majestic wine for a celebration!
This Wine o’clock is a rare opportunity to acquire rare formats of the iconic Mouton 2000 in imperial, magnums and bottles. So, succumb to these highly collectible and sought-after great artwork-bottles!
“Drinking Sir?” Wine o’clock
Tuesday 25th October at 2pm
