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1998, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:37 pm
by Serge Birbrair
We picked 2 bottles on sale few months ago.
ABC price - $189
Winewatch price - $189
Winewarehouse price - $139

We had a good reason to celebrate yesterday. The day before, the dentist gave the estimate between the good case scenario in hundreds to the worst case scenario as high as $10,000 and yesterday has happened to be a winner - BEST CASE SCENARIO! No 6 months worth of work -
but rather 1 hour procedure. What a relief!

First of all - there is a REASON why the wine is on sale. Even though the capsule spinned easily -
the cork had all indication that the bottle was exposed to heat.The cork was all covered with wine resedues, the sign of heat exposure. The wine itself is within top 10 wines I ever had. Concentrated, nose filling the room, 1 minute finish.
here is Parker's Tasting Notes
"Baron Philippe de Rothschild Château Mouton Rothschild 1998

"Surprise, surprise! The 1998 Mouton has emerged as the greatest wine produced at this estate since the perfect 1986, of which the 1998 is somewhat reminiscent. Like many of its peers, it has filled out spectacularly. Now in the bottle, this opaque black/purple-colored offering has increased in stature, richness, and size. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc...it is an extremely powerful, super-concentrated wine offering notes of roasted espresso, crème de cassis, smoke, new saddle leather, graphite, and licorice. It is massive, with awesome concentration, mouth-searing tannin levels, and a saturated flavor profile that grips the mouth with considerable intensity. This is another 50-year Mouton, but patience will be required as it will not be close to drinkability for at least a decade. This wine rivals the 1996 and 1995. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050." Rated: 96
- Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate - April 23, 2001
"

I haven't tasted "smoke", but everything else IS in there and heat exposure "tenderized" it and changed the drinking window.

The second bottle will be opened tomorrow, as we have another reason to celebrate and I don't wanna keep this heat exposed wine for much longer.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:47 pm
by Mutton
Mouton's capsule do not spin.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:17 pm
by Serge Birbrair
Mutton wrote:Mouton's capsule do not spin.


oh really?

Check the position of the capsule
Position 1
Position 2 - 90 Degrees spinned.

The picture is worth a thousand words....
If YOUR capsule doesn't spin, it probably means that your bottle was heated even more than mine...don't celler it for long.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:42 pm
by Mutton
Mouton capsule generally don't spin. When it spin, I'm worried.
For those Mouton afficinados out there, try spinning yours and let us know...

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:59 pm
by Serge Birbrair
Mutton wrote:Mouton capsule generally don't spin. When it spin, I'm worried.
For those Mouton afficinados out there, try spinning yours and let us know...


Mouton, WHY wouldn't they spin????? I saw only ONE wine with no spinning capsule-
Chateau Margaux, 2002
it has plasric wrapper over the capsule.

Some Italian wine capsules don't spin due to DOC pink strip on the bottom.

Some Cali Cabs capsules don't spin due to the bottle design.

But WHY in the God's name Mouton won't spin?

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:35 am
by Attila
Genlemen, stop the spinning business.
What I offer you is this: Before I put my wine into the cellar I check all capsules, I smell them for bottle leak and MAKE SURE that the capsule spins because it's the indicator that there isn't any sticky wine residue underneath that would indicate a leaking bottle.
So, all my capsules spin (when design allows) in the cellar and I'm happy.
Cheers,
Attila