Despite being one of the more famous wine estates in France and having market prices for its wine as its illustrious cousin Château Lafite Rothschild, the Château Mouton Rothschild was left off the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. It is suspected that this slight was because the vineyard had recently become the property of an Englishman and was no longer in French hands. It was eventually elevated to “first growth” status in 1973, which prompted a change of motto. Originally, the motto of the Château had been First, I cannot be. Second, I do not deign to be. Mouton, I am. In response to its elevation, the moto was changed to First, I am. Second, I used to be. Mouton does not change.
The Mouton Rothschild vineyard is located in the sub-region of Pauillac, which lies on the left bank of the Gironde estuary. The red wine produced here has an intense colour and fine, fruity tannins with a strong personality.
One of the defining features of the Château Mouton Rothschild, outside of the character and consistent excellence of its wine, is its labels. Owner Baron Philippe de Rothschild is credited with the idea of having famous artists of the day create the bottle labels for the Château. The first label designed by Henri Fantin-Latour in 1924 was inspired by Baron Nathaniel Rothschild’s famous coat of arms, which he adopted after the English College of Heralds granted him his own Coat of Arms. The second label design is also attributed to Fantin Latour and appeared on bottles starting with the 1932 vintage until 1986 when Baroness Philippine decided it was time for a new label. The third one designed by Jean-Gabriel Domergue appeared on bottles starting with the 1986 vintage until 2001 when Baron Philippe commissioned British surrealist and pop artist Sir Peter Blake to design the fourth label for his famous wine.
These signature labels have also increased the collectability of older Château Mouton Rothschild vintages, as the popularity of the label increases the auction prices for older and more collectable years. There has also been a range of special labels that commemorate notable events, including the death of Pablo Picasso in 1973, the 1977 visit to the estate by the Queen Mother Elizabeth, and the death of Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1988.
