Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2008

98 POINTS

Falstaff

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Intense bouquet, ethereal nuances of mint, eucalyptus, a touch of tar, very exotic aroma, floral hints of lilies and purples, dark berry fruit in the background. Juicy, almost opulent and round, structured with finesse, good, integrated tannins, ripe sweet cherries on the finish, elegant, sweet and persistent, approaching a first drinking phase, at least with this nose, it is a distinctive Mouton.

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

A rich wine, opulent in character. There is power here, with richness of fruit and texture. It is both serious side and exuberant, with its bursting black berry fruits.

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

95-97 Barrel sample. Initially, the wine seems austere, very mineral. It opens slowly, showing fruit that is definitely rich, offering velvet tannins. But there is also an iron hand in that velvet glove, because the structure then comes bursting through.

96 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Another hit, although this is not as glamorous as some vintages of Mouton. The expression here is just a little more Pauillac, rather than Mouton. Layers of blackberry and grilled almonds are marked by a touch of austerity in the Cabernet which I almost never find in this wine. It remains a beautiful Mouton in a vintage where you don't always get this level of texture and expression. It's still young - we are actually nowhere near lift off yet.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

A totally gorgeous wine. Femine and sexy. Flowery with lots of beautiful fruit and minerals. Gorgeous. Hints of chocolate. Full with a gorgeous balance of fruit and vanilla and long and gorgeous. Succulent and bright fruit. It’s 83 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 17 percent Merlot. Best after 2015.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas of roasted fruit plus hints of grilled meat and chocolate. Full body, firm and chewy tannins and bright acidity. Tangy and lively. Needs time still to come together to soften the tannins. A little hard. Better in 2018.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas of roasted fruit plus hints of grilled meat and chocolate. Full body, firm and chewy tannins and bright acidity. Tangy and lively. Needs time still to come together to soften the tannins. A little hard. Better in 2018.

92 POINTS

Wine Spectator

This shows the cool, leafy profile of the vintage, with fresh tobacco and bay notes standing out, while the core of plum and blackberry fruit continues to fill in behind them. Shows wet earth and singed alder elements through the finish. This has nearly dropped its angular feel and is developing well, with just a slight twinge of crisp acidity on the finish.--Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017).