This bottling is out of private collection with excellent provenance and in mint condition. The vineyard of Mouton-Rothschild is a fairly contiguous 90-hectare site on a low plateau close to the Gironde River in Pauillac. Soils are deep gravel with sand, with a varietal mix of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and a smattering of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grand vin ferments in large wooden vats and ages a minimum of 20 months in pristine, 100% new French oak barriques. Deeply evocative Pauillac aromas of black plum, blackberry, wild strawberry, licorice, cedar, graphite, and tobacco need some initial coaxing but then come on strong after the wine takes on some air. Medium-plus in body, it is deeply concentrated without being juicy; while the fruit is perfectly ripe it is not sappy-sweet, but rather entwined with a deep, smoky earthiness that lingers on the long and satisfying finish. We suggest decanting this bottle (for sediment) about 15-30 minutes before enjoying it at 60-65 in large Bordeaux stems. It will unfold in the glass for hours, so do your best to take it slow and enjoy that evolution.