A perfect example of the magic of First Growths, even when they were Second Growths at the time, as this vintage was three years before Mouton was promoted. I bought this wine at auction for around €200, and it was a gamble as to its condition as the label was pretty much non-existent, but the risk more than paid off. Shared with dear friends at one of my favourite restaurants in Bordeaux (Ressources), this was mouthwatering, moreish, delicate but never wavering, fine tannins, brambled fruit, a shot of incense, liqourice, graphite, fully in its drinking window but not yet flagging. Wonderful.

the 1970 Mouton can range from pure nectar to a wine that is angular austere and frightfully hard and tannic. This bottle (one of the Reserve du Chateau bottlings that was mistakenly released by the estate and labeled with the letters R.C. rather than a number) was impossible to assess when decanted given its hard tough impenetrable style. Nearly eight hours later the wine had opened magnificently to reveal a classic bouquet of sweet cassis tobacco minerals and exotic spice aromas. Opulent full-bodied thick and juicy the extraordinary evolution of this particular bottle would make a persuasive argument for long-term decanting. After being perplexed throughout much of this wine's evolution I was reassured by this bottle. No doubt Mouton's high Cabernet Sauvignon content causes this wine to go through a tight hard ungenerous stage and the 1970 requires 5-7 more years of cellaring.

Having tasted the 1970 Mouton Rothschild many times it is one of the best Moutons of the 70s. Never a heavyweight, but fresh and clear with hints of mint and lead pencil, it unfolds nicely in the glass. It will however not improve. The fruit concentration is fine, perfumed and quite elegant for being Mouton. - Ivar Bjurner