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Château Mouton Rothschild is an estate located in the village of Pauillac in the Médoc, 50 km north-west of the city of Bordeaux, France, and its red wine of the same name is regarded as one of the world's greatest red wines. Originally known as Château Brane-Mouton, it was renamed by Nathaniel de Rothschild in 1853 to Château Mouton-Rothschild. It was the first estate to begin complete chateau-bottling of the harvest. It is also the only chateau in the Medoc Classification of 1855 to achieve reclassification. Château Mouton Rothschild was elevated from a second growth to a first growth vineyard in 1973, after decades of intense lobbying by the powerful Philippe de Rothschild.   In general, Mouton-Rothschild's wines are bigger and richer than those of neighboring wineries, a result of the exquisite attention paid from the grape to the bottle. These wines can usually age exceptionally well. Luscious black currant flavored Cabernet fruit makes Mouton beguilingly easy to drink. Rich complex flavours, powerful ripe tannins and an exceptionally long finish are all hallmarks of this illustrious wine whose motto proudly proclaims: “First I am, Second I was, I Mouton do not change”.   The grand vin is Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, and the second wine, Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, was introduced with the 1993 vintage (although the name Petit Mouton was only introduced the following year), and produced in only small quantities. The white wine, Aile d'Argent, is pure Sauvignon Blanc sourced from a four hectare vineyard, and again produced in small quantities, typically 1200 cases per annum. Appellation: Pauillac Areas under Vine: 84 hectares Average Annual Production: 20,000 cases per annum Soil: Gravel topsoil, mixed with iron-rich sand and a clay, marl and limestone subsoil Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (12%), Cabernet Franc (9%), PetitVerdot (2%) Ageing: In 100% new barrels over 23-24 months Top Vintages: 1945, 1947, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1986, 2000, 2005, 2006