2004 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac France

Press
Rated 95 points Wine Spectator
This shows lots of mulled spice, warm tobacco leaf and well-roasted cedar accents, but isn't short on fruit, offering enticing layers of red currant, plum and blackberry confiture. The long finish is riddled with sweet smoke, black tea and iron notes. A gorgeous wine from an overlooked vintage. (JM)

Rated 94 points James Suckling
A dense and pretty wine for this less-than-optimum vintage. Full to medium body with firm and polished tannins. Flavors of currants, berries, mint and spearmint.

Rated 94 points Wine & Spirits
Supple and grand, Mouton has a heavenly richness in 2004. The flavors are saturated with blackberry and black-cherry fruit, bright on the aroma, quieter and softer in the end. The wine has a laconic beauty, closed off behind its oak and stony tannin. (10/2007)

Rated 93 points Vinous
The 2004 Mouton Rothschild is supple, forward and inviting. Dark cherry, plum, tobacco and grilled herbs are all pushed forward. This is an especially succulent Mouton, partly because of the high percentage of Merlot that was common during this era. Gravel, pencil shavings, smoke and cured meats add myriad shades of nuance on the powerful, explosive finish. Philippe Dhalluin told me he waited as long as possible to harvest in 2004, the driest vintage Mouton had seen up until that point. (AG)

Rated 93 points Wine Enthusiast
A wine that is powerful, highly extracted and intense. The chocolate flavors and serious, dry tannins go with big, fat blackberry fruits and finishing acidity. (RV)