Art, power, and controversy.
Mouton Rothschild is a household name, yet its true character often reveals itself in the trickier vintages. 1993 was one of those: September rains challenged the harvest, and many châteaux struggled. Yet Mouton crafted a poised, structured wine. The label, painted by Balthus, featured a nude sketch that caused quite a stir in the US, leading to a censored “white label” version.
Tasting note
Cassis, graphite, and cedar dominate the nose. On the palate, focused and classical: redcurrant, dried tobacco, pencil shavings, and a lean, precise finish.
Fun fact
The 1993 Mouton is one of the only vintages with two labels (together with the ’78). The American version was released without the artwork—just a blank white rectangle.
Score 85/100
A small note on our tasting impressions:
Many of the wines we taste come from bottles that aren’t quite sale-worthy—levels a bit low, labels too distressed, or simply not pretty enough for the spotlight. While we love the character these bottles bring, our notes are not based on a single glass alone. They reflect years of tasting experience—both within our team and from trusted friends in the wine world.
As for the fun facts?
All true (we promise)… though possibly enhanced by the gentle glow of a good glass of wine.