1996 Chateau Mouton Rothschild

一支有骨有情的 Pauillac 頂級酒，成熟果實與絲滑單寧同時到位。

【為什麼選它？】
1) 名門來源 -> 1er Cru 的地位代表穩定品質與收藏價值，現在已進入迷人飲飲期。
2) 精細桶陳 -> 18 個月法國新桶，帶來細緻香氣但不蓋過果味，飲起來圓潤又有層次。
3) 立刻享受 -> 已展現成熟的皮革、咖啡、雪松香，既能即飲也值得再放幾年。

【侍酒師私房筆記】這支酒打開後先是黑果與黑加侖的厚實感，轉而出現雪松、乾草本、薄荷和一點咖啡煙燻；單寧經時間磨得細緻，有力量但入口柔順。想像在秋夜與朋友分享一塊厚切牛扒，慢慢品出皮革與可可的尾韻。

【場景化配餐指南】週末家庭慶祝：燒烤或煎牛扒配 béarnaise；中式重口菜如紅燒牛腩也能壓得住；最後搭一塊熟成芝士收尾最過癮。

【田地與釀造】Château Mouton Rothschild 位於 Plateau de Mouton，深厚礫岩土壤、密植（約10,000株/公頃）、平均植株年齡約44年。當年於9月27日至10月9日採收，酒液在全新法國橡木桶陳18個月。釀酒師 Patrick Léon 與 Baronne Philippine de Rothschild 管理下，展現了經典又可即飲的成熟風格。

【降維打擊】相較於更昂貴或更年輕的同級酒款，1996 Mouton 給的是成熟的複雜度與即飲友善度——不需太長醒酒，就能感受一級莊的核心魅力。

A legendary Pauillac first growth showing mature power with silk and length.

【Why choose it?】
1) Historic pedigree & terroir -> First-growth structure and deep gravel soils give ageworthy depth you can taste now.
2) Masterful élevage -> 18 months in 100% new French oak for polished power, not overpowering wood.
3) Ready complexity -> Offers evolved tertiary notes alongside ripe dark fruit—drink now or cellar further.

【Sommelier’s Notes】On the nose: layered black fruit, cedar, mint and floral lift with coffee and saddle-leather nuances. The palate opens with concentrated dark berry and cassis, framed by refined, silky tannins and a sophisticated spine of cedar and tobacco. Oak is perfectly integrated, leading to a long, gently savoury finish.

【Occasion (Pairing Guide)】Ideal for an elevated Hong Kong dinner—think ribeye with béarnaise at a private table, a celebratory roast lamb, or a club-style steak night with mature cheese to finish.

【Competitive Edge】Compared with similarly scored grande marques, this vintage delivers a flattering balance between maturity and structure: the feel of an aged first-growth without the need for extreme decanting or long cellar time.

Winemaking notes: Harvested late September–early October; fermented and matured 18 months in 100% new French oak under winemaker Patrick Léon. Closure: cork. Drinking window: 2010–2056.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 12.5%
• Decant Time: 60-90 minutes
• Taste: blackcurrant, blackberry, ripe cherry, cedar, tobacco, leather, coffee, dark chocolate, mint, dried herbs, spice, well-integrated oak, silky tannins, complex, long finish
• Food Matching: Ribeye steak with béarnaise, Roast or braised beef, Venison or game, Roast lamb, Aged hard cheeses (Manchego, aged cheddar), Duck breast with rich glaze
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon : 72%, Merlot : 20%, Cabernet Franc : 8%, Petit Verdot , Others ,

Winery

Château Mouton Rothschild（1er Grand Cru Classé）。由 Baronne Philippine de Rothschild 擁有，當期釀酒師 Patrick Léon。莊園坐落於 Plateau de Mouton，深厚礫岩土壤、密植、平均株齡約44年。

Château Mouton Rothschild — 1er Grand Cru Classé. Owned by Baronne Philippine de Rothschild; winemaker Patrick Léon. Estate on the Plateau de Mouton with deep gravel soils; dense planting and average vine age ~44 years.