Château Mouton Rothschild unveils 2022 label
Mouton Rothschild 2022 Vintage Label: Celebrating a Century of Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Legacy
Château Mouton Rothschild’s annual tradition of artist-designed labels is one of the most celebrated intersections of fine wine and art. This year, the 2022 vintage marks a particularly momentous occasion: the centenary of Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s arrival at the estate in Pauillac. To commemorate this milestone, the label for the 2022 vintage has been created by Gérard Garouste, one of France’s most respected contemporary artists.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who assumed stewardship of the estate in 1922, was a visionary. Over his tenure, he not only elevated Mouton Rothschild to a global icon of fine wine but also pioneered the innovative practice of commissioning original artworks for the estate’s labels. The 2022 label, titled Hommage au Baron Philippe, is a fitting tribute to the man who reshaped the identity of Mouton Rothschild, blending artistry and viticulture in a way that continues to inspire.
Baron Philippe’s impact on Mouton Rothschild extended far beyond the artistic realm. In 1973, he achieved the remarkable feat of elevating Mouton Rothschild to First Growth status, the only estate to have its classification changed since the 1855 Bordeaux rankings. This milestone cemented his reputation as a pioneer and visionary, whose influence is still felt across the wine world today.
The Artistic Vision Behind the 2022 Label
Gérard Garouste’s artwork for the 2022 vintage is steeped in symbolism and narrative, a testament to the enduring legacy of Baron Philippe. The label serves as a heraldic banner for Mouton Rothschild, featuring key elements that define the estate’s identity and the baron’s contributions. At its heart is a portrait of Baron Philippe, framed by the emblematic ram—an icon deeply associated with the estate—and the front wall of the château. Grapevines, laden with fruit, complete the scene, symbolising the baron’s lifelong devotion to winemaking and his respect for nature.
Garouste drew inspiration from detailed conversations with Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, grandson of Baron Philippe, as well as archival photographs. “I wanted to know more about his grandfather’s amazing life,” Garouste shared.
“Baron Philippe was a man of great elegance, very hard-working, and he had the look of someone very sure of himself, with a mischievous side. That is what I have tried to capture.”
The ram, a recurring motif in Mouton Rothschild’s history, embodies strength and leadership. It also draws upon mythological references, appearing in both Greek and biblical traditions, which aligns with Garouste’s style of blending classicism with modern symbolism. The inclusion of the château’s front wall anchors the composition, tying the artwork back to the estate’s physical and cultural heritage.
Baron Philippe’s Legacy: Art and Innovation
The 2022 label continues a tradition established in 1945, when Baron Philippe commissioned Bordeaux illustrator Philippe Jullian to design a celebratory label for the victorious end of World War II. Since then, each vintage has featured unique artworks by luminaries of the art world, including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Keith Haring, and David Hockney.
This practice has turned Mouton Rothschild bottles into collectible pieces, treasured not only for their wine but also for the stories told through their labels. The 2022 label, with its deeply personal tribute to Baron Philippe, underscores the estate’s commitment to merging artistic innovation with winemaking excellence.
There is still an opportunity to secure some of our very limited stocks of the magnificent Mouton-Rothschild 2022, alongside the superb Petit Mouton, which Jeb Dunnuck previously hailed as, “tasting more like a Grand Vin than a second wine”. With four potential 100-point scores and described as a future legend, Jeff Leve gave the ultimate praise to the Mouton ‘22 when he questioned, “Perhaps, this is a modern version of the 1982?”.
With such fantastic scores and now this commemorative label to crown an exceptional vintage for Mouton, it is hard not to be drawn into making comparisons with the likes of the iconic Margaux 2015, which was also marked by a special commemorative bottle honouring former managing director, Paul Pontallier. As you might expect, these historic bottlings tend to trade at a significant premium to other similarly scored vintages, due to the value added by their status as a collectible.
We have a range of formats available today and all are priced extremely well against market, so do let me know if you’d like to snap up some of this magnificent Mouton.
98-100 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
“The 2022 Mouton Rothschild, 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, is aging in 100% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is incredibly closed to start off, needing a lot of shaking to wake up subtle notes of blackcurrant jelly, ripe blackberries, and fresh mulberries, leading to hints of espresso, crushed rocks, iris bulb, and star anise. Compared with the nose, the mouth wows with explosive, intense flavors of cassis, black cherries, and licorice that fill the palate, framed by very firm, beautifully ripe tannins and a lively backbone, finishing very long with mineral and floral sparks. It is amazing how classical this Mouton this is, considering the extreme vintage. A legend in the making. pH 3.89, TPI 76.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, TheWineIndependent.com, May 2023
98-100 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Moving to the flagship, the 2022 Château Mouton Rothschild is a massive, full-bodied, incredibly powerful 2022 that takes no prisoners with its ripe black and blue fruits, chocolate, graphite, and smoked tobacco-driven aromas and flavors. Deep, unctuous, and concentrated, with velvety tannins, this legendary Mouton is based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot that’s still resting in new barrel. It will unquestionably play with the top wines in the vintage. Harvest here began the 1st of September and finished on the 26th, and the final wine hit 14% natural alcohol, with a pH of 3.89 and an IPT of 76.”
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, May 2023
98-100 Points – Jeff Leve
“Dark in color, and equally dark in fruit, this is a flamboyant, ostentatious, opulent, velvet-textured Mouton that is on the exotic side. Perhaps, this is a modern version of the 1982? The wine exudes its blackberry, boysenberry, chocolate, Asian spice, tobacco leaf, licorice, smoke, and cigar wrapper notes in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is incredibly dense. There is so much fruit, you wonder if it would be better eating this with a spoon, before taking another sip? The finish is rich, intense, velvety, long, and close to seamless, holding court for over 50 seconds. I love the touch of spice that shines before the wine fades from your palate. The wine blends 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot. 14% ABV, 3.89 pH. The harvest took place September 1 – September 26. Yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare. Only 49% of the harvest was used to produce the Grand Vin. Drink from 2030-2065.”
Jeff Leve, TheWineCellarInsider.com, May 2023
98-100 Points – Decanter
“One of my favourite 2022s, technically very brilliant but it’s the texture that wows, generous, fruity, sleek, supple, it gives stone and graphite touches putting the terroir in the glass and overall this just screams elegance and finesse and above all drinkability! Smooth and shiny, silky, sleek, delicious from the first sip. Mouthwatering acidity combined with tannins that have the perfect balance of flinty grip, fleshy fruit and cool minerality. Certainly not shouting, they haven’t pushed too far at all, more restrained and refined while still delivering a gorgeous mouthful of wine. Classy and refreshing. Concentrated but clean, pure and vibrant. Wonderful, magical – giving the concentration of the hot vintage which is want you want, but this is moreish and so succulent. One you’ll want to finish the glass and then have more immediately. 16.4% press – 4% above normal, usually at 12-13%. 49% grand vin. 3.89pH. 76 IPT. Aged 100% in new barrels.”
Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com, May 2023
