The 1999 Mouton-Rothschild, which Philippe Dhalluin told me was harvested in one week, has a forward, showy bouquet with more upfront black fruit than the 1999 Lafite-Rothschild I tasted an hour earlier. Blackberry mixes with hints of star anise and light tobacco notes, conveying energy and fine delineation if not the profundity of the greatest vintages. There seems to be a lot of extraction and/or vin de presse here. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet tannin and a fine bead of acidity, and quite dense and grippy in the mouth. There is presence but not the same sophistication that Dhalluin imparts nowadays. A pleasurable Mouton-Rothschild that tries everything to appeal, whereas nowadays it is more effortless. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the estate. 09/2019

Deep red. Roasted plum, minerals, tobacco, lead pencil, cocoa powder and spicy oak; all of the '99s from this stable show a warm, slightly jammy quality. Lush, silky and sweet; considerably more concentrated and explosive in the middle than the estate other '99s. Also more solidly structured but still a rather gently styled first growth. This boasts compelling sweetness of fruit. Finishes with rather soft, spreading tannins. 05/2001

The beautiful 1999 Mouton Rothschild may be a modern day clone of their 1962 or 1985. Its saturated ruby/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of cedar wood, creme de cassis, wood smoke, coffee, and dried herbs. The wine is forward, lush, and full-bodied. It is already complex as well as succulent, fleshy, and long. Tannin in the finish suggests more nuances will emerge in 4-5 years. It is a complex, classic Mouton. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030. 04/2002

Couleur sombre, d’intensité moyenne et évoluée. Nez moyennement aromatique, aux nuances de fruits au sirop. Bouche plutôt moelleuse au départ, aromatique, mais au corps léger. 09/2019

A spicy Bordeaux with berries and hints of currants. Full, super round and soft –surrounded by vanilla and blueberry pie. Lovely. Just coming around now. Delicious. 11/2015