**2023 Mouton-Rothschild [Bordeaux Blend] 750**
The 2023 Mouton-Rothschild is a Bordeaux blend from Pauillac, France, comprising 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. This wine has garnered high praise from several prominent wine critics, indicating its potential as a standout of the vintage.
James Suckling awarded this wine a near-perfect score of 99 points, describing it as "the most structured Mouton since the great 2016, with tannins that start slowly and then take off." He notes that it is full-bodied but not overly heavy, and it builds in intensity, with a finish that "goes on and on and on."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by William Kelley, gave it 96 points. Kelley highlighted the wine's aromas of crème de cassis, dark berries, espresso roast, and violets. He described it as medium to full-bodied with a "creamy core of ripe but lively fruit, sweet tannins, and an expansive finish."
The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown rated it 97 points, noting its deep garnet-purple color and complex aroma profile, which includes freshly crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries, clove oil, lavender, star anise, and black truffle. She pointed out its tightly wound palate with grainy tannins and a lingering ferrous note.
Vinous's Antonio Galloni also awarded it 99 points, praising its balance of intense, super-concentrated fruit and imposing structure. He found the wine to be "exciting" with a "palpable dynamic energy."
Jane Anson, on janeanson.com, gave the wine a perfect score of 100 points, calling it "totally delicious" with layers of black fruits, graphite, cocoa bean, espresso, and smoked earth. She emphasized its tension, flesh, and confidence, suggesting it could be one of the wines of any vintage.
Decanter's review, which awarded the wine 98 points, described it as "gorgeous" with a nose full of red and black fruit, including ripe strawberries, cherries, and blackcurrants. The review noted its smooth and supple texture, with "lots of energy and vibrancy throughout."
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com rated it 99 points, highlighting its complex aroma profile of Cuban cigars, blackberries, smoke, espresso, and spice. He mentioned that the wine offers layers of energetic, long, deep fruits with a racy edge and a refreshing sprig of mint.
Lastly, Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 98 points, noting its "smoky red, black, and blue fruits, tobacco leaf, graphite, and cedar-driven aromatics." He described it as full-bodied, rich, elegant, and seamless, predicting it will need a decade to hit its prime.
Overall, the 2023 Mouton-Rothschild is a highly acclaimed wine with a strong structure, complex flavor profile, and excellent aging potential.