Bordeaux-themed
Timed Online Auction, 7 - 21 October 2024
Bordeaux | International
About this Item
Château Mouton Rothschild is not only one of the finest Bordeaux wines, but it is also one of the world’s greatest. The First Growth from Pauillac holds an incredible track record for the most consistent and long-lived wines in all of Bordeaux. It can be argued that the modern age of Chateau Mouton Rothschild arose along with the modernization of the entire Bordeaux wine region.
Each year since 1945, the Château Mouton Rothschild label has been illustrated with an artwork by a leading painter, specially created for the vintage. Thus, the most famous names in contemporary painting have been brought together in a collection to which a new work is added each year. From one label to another, Mouton Rothschild has thus brought together some of the most celebrated artists of their day, including Miró, Chagall, Braque, Picasso, Tàpies, Francis Bacon, Dali, Balthus, Jeff Koons and even Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. The artists have complete freedom of creation, though certain themes, such as the vine, the pleasure of drinking and the ram, the Mouton Rothschild emblem, have proved a particularly rich source of inspiration.
The 1985 Mouton Rothschild label is an artwork by Paul Delvaux (1897-1994), born in Belgium, was influenced by the Flemish Expressionists before becoming one of the leading figures in Surrealism. In fact this master of modern art was probably closer to what we would now call 'Magic Realism'.
He offers us a series of obsessional scenes of brooding mystery: remote, erotic female nudes with pale, milky skin and enigmatic eyes; dream-landscapes, often moonlit, where rampant vegetation appears against bare cityscapes painted with an almost photographic precision.
The two demure little girls in his drawing for the label of 1985 Mouton Rothschild, separate and apart, are drawn together by the lure of a bunch of grapes, gazed on, touched, soon to be tasted.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'The bouquet is open, very classic in style, perhaps blind more like the 1986 with scents of pine cones and undergrowth. It was always quite a backward and (for the vintage) quite surly on the nose. The palate is well balanced with cedar and truffle, firm tannins with gentle grip, maybe missing a bit of flair towards the finish. It is an enjoyable Mouton-Rothschild, though you might have wanted a little more panache' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 92/100 (Oct 2021)
'The customary glamour of Mouton is on display here, with softened but welcoming blackberry, bilberry and raspberry fruits, still offering texture and juice through the palate. This is matched by clove, cinnamon, caramel and smoke. Another era at Mouton, making this even more delightful to drink - Baron Philippe was still heading up the estate as he had since 1922, and would continue to until his death in 1988, making this his 63rd vintage, and the legendary Raoul Blondin was cellarmaster (he oversaw 60 vintages before his eventual retirement in 1989). 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Paul Delvaux label.' - Jane Anson, Decanter.com, 93/100 (Feb 2021)
'Rich and sweet initially on the nose but on the palate it's a little bit ordinary – not obviously first growth intensity (this was served blind). Refined and fresh but lightish' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Mar 2016)
Notes
Please note the condition of the label, as per image.
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