Beschreibung:

Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 1982
12 bottles per lot
CHÂTEAU MOUTON-ROTHSCHILD Château Mouton-Rothschild stands alone in its feat of being the only château of the 1855 Médoc Classification to change status. While this classification purported to consider only market prices in its framework, the exclusion of Mouton from the ranks of the four other premiers grands crus classés reeked of bias. The château was certainly of high pedigree, making its first appearance in a Christie's catalogue in 1834. The new English owner Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild was dissatisfied, but only when his son Philippe took the helm in 1922 were serious strides made. A few years after this appointment, the young Baron Philippe proposed château bottling for all the first growths and Mouton-Rothschild itself, ensuring greater quality control. Mouton was the first to achieve château bottling of a harvest in 1924. The Baron diligently worked towards correcting what he called "the monstrous injustice". Overcoming the inertia of a system steeped in tradition, politics and tremendous wealth, Mouton was reclassified from a second to a first growth in 1973 after Philippe de Rothschild's 21 year campaign. Despite rumors that persist each year, no other has achieved a promotion or even demotion since. The very rare vertical offering of Mouton presents an opportunity to reflect in the château's historical evolution from the "Année de la Victoire" - a château and family relieved at the end of WWII - to a modern grand château commanding some of the highest prices in the world, Through these years, the Château has passed to be the next generation of Rothschild family, new vines have been planted and new winemakers create in the Grand Chai designed by Charles Sicils in 1926. 1945 represents the first vintage in the series that Baron Philippe commissioned an artist to create a label for his prized elixir. Today Baroness Philippine de Rothschild continues this tradition since her father's passing in 1988. The notable artists' labels from Picasso to Warhol reflect the tastes of the years as they passed. Some vintages corresponded to events such as Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 1977 or other such as the 1993 Balthus label caused scandal when the American BATF rejected the drawing of the nude nymphet. All are highly coveted individually and together create a legendary collection that befits the château's accession to glory. Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 1982 Pauillac, 1er cru classé Label : Watercolour with dedication to Baron Philippe in India ink by John Huston The artist: Best known as a film director, but also a boxer, art lover, writer, horsetrainer, big-game hunter and actor, John Huston (1906-1987) was a talented painter from an early age. His dedication: "In celebration of my beloved friend Baron Philippe's sixtieth harvest at Mouton", bears witness both to his affection for the man and his attachment to a place that clearly enchanted him. His watercolour for the Mouton Rothschild 1982 label is one of the last pictures he ever painted. Sensual, graceful, using deep, warm colours, it returns in representational style to the symbolic theme of the Ram, leaping in dionysiac joy, accompanied by its inseparable companions, the sun and the vine. Tasting note: Over two dozen notes, consistently good. A magnificent '82, its higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (80 always very noticeable. At 10 years of age, massively spicy nose and flavour, still youthful but fleshy. Later in the 1990s, mulberry-ripe Cabernet nose, intense, dramatic. Half a dozen recent notes which can be summarised: still fairly deep, rich, dark cherry, positive but mature rim; sweet, glorious fragrance, distinctive Cabernet aroma, great depth, touch of mocha, brown sugar and mild ginger (you name it); very sweet entry, great length, dry finish with lashings of fruit and flesh in between. A great classic, dramatic, Mouton. Last tasted Nov 2005 *****. MB 12 bottles per lot