Bordeaux Baron Philippe de Rothschild 1999
The Mouton Cadet Bordeaux is a red wine from the 1999 vintage, produced by the historic Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The company was formed in 1933 when Philippe de Rothschild began a modernization process that ultimately elevated Château Mouton Rothschild to Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1973—the only change ever made to the 1855 classification. The family's anchor properties are located in Pauillac, encompassing classified estates such as Château d'Armailhac and Château Clerc Milon. Beyond France, the Rothschild family has established international reference points through partnerships like Opus One in California and Almaviva in Chile. Created over half a century ago, Mouton Cadet is crafted from a carefully chosen selection of wines from traditional Bordeaux growing areas, which are then blended by the company's expert winemakers.The wine is classified under the Appellation Bordeaux Contrôlée in southwestern France. Bordeaux features a maritime climate heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the Gironde estuary, and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, which act as temperature regulators. The region's geological diversity spans gravel, clay, limestone, and sand, allowing different grape varieties to adapt to specific local conditions. The 1999 vintage achieved a score of 88 points and is described as elegant, reflecting the traditional style of the broader Bordeaux appellation.The composition is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon, widely cultivated in regions such as Bordeaux, California, and Tuscany, is globally recognized for providing the foundation for structured red wines, particularly dominating the gravel soils of the Left Bank. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are traditionally the primary varieties of the Right Bank. Merlot is a classic grape found in Bordeaux, Northern Italy, and Washington, while Cabernet Franc is frequently grown in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux, contributing a fresh style to the final blend.