Baron de Philippe Rothschild Tasting

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a trade tasting of the estates of Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Pictured wines start with Petit Mouton, then Mouton ‘09, then ‘05, then Barsac ‘08.

Here are my notes, with an albeit stuffy nose 🙁

Pastourelle de Clerc Milon 2020

meaty, austere, drinking well for its age. slight herbaciousness
88 points

Ch Clerc Milon 2018
More fruit than 2nd label, soft tannins, has 2% Carmenere which is very interesting .
94-95 points

NOTE: after tasting through everything in this wild lineup, the value/QPR of Clerc Milon really stood out to me!! I wish I took more detailed notes on this.

Ch d Armailhac 2015
soft nose, but not extremely expressive. fruit was there but a bit one dimensional. long lasting finish. 93 pts

Petit Mouton 2010
dark color, but the garnet is starting to appear on the edges
nose not as pronounced but came out a bit – likely just needed to open up
palate was fantastic. black cherry, dark fruit, slight graphite, vanilla, tannis were present and a bit grippy. meaty and vanilla finish. this wine is about to enter its prime, if it isn’t already. finish was long and enjoyable.
95-96 pts

Mouton Rothschild 2009
color: still dark but the tawny look around the edges
nose: pronounced, black currant, dark and lightly stewed fruits
mouth: extremely silky, balanced, slightly warm, pronounced cherry, fresh vanilla, looong finish – creme brulee, vanilla, cherry. lasted 10 minutes if not longer

the finish specifically developed in my mouth – i wish we decanted!
97 pts – but i think if this was decanted it would reach 98

Mouton Rothschild 2005
dark and tawny color
nose: stewed fruit, some vanilla, toasted nuts
palate: fresh fruit on the edge of the palate that morphs into a somewhat stewed fruit on the center of the palate. still a good structure – this wine is in its early prime (for my palate) tannins are present and silky, but leaves a grip that wants me wanting so much more.

97 pts – also probably needed a decant

Personally, ‘09>’05, but they were both excellent.

Chateau Coutet Sauternes-Barsac 2008
nose: pear, citrus, ginger which allows the flavor to pierce through the nose
palate: the candied ginger is so awesome on this. it has all your classic sauternes notes, but the way the ginger makes this so unique has me really happy with this.
95 pts.