Château Mouton-Rothschild is an estate in Pauillac on the left bank of the Bordeaux region. It produces red wine under the Pauillac AOC. The estate was bought by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild in 1853. The ‘mouton’ is a rise or ‘motte’ in the land, where gravel covers a sandstone base.

Owner: Philippine de Rothschild, who succeeded her father, Baron Philippe (see below).

Former owner: Baron Philippe de Rothschild (d.1989) and his wife Pauline (American). Baron Philippe took over here in 1922 on behalf of his (the English) branch of the Rothschild family. In 1973 he succeeded in raising Mouton from being first on the list of Second growths in the 1855 Classification to parity with Château Lafite. This was the first ever change to the 1855 Classification. Over time, Baron Philippe acquired other estates in Pauillac: Château Mouton Baron Philippe and Château Clerc-Milon. He also created La Baronnie, a company which produces and markets Mouton-Cadet, a Bordeaux AOC brand he devised in 1927 (initially as Carruades de Mouton).

Vineyards: 70ha. 

Wine style: Geographically Mouton neighbours Château Lafite but gastronomically is closer to Château Latour (Hugh Johnson: Wine Companion: 1991, p.60).

Labels: Under Baron Philippe de Rothschild and from 1945 famous artists were commissioned to design the top panel of the label each year. 

Museum: The Musée du Vin was opened in 1962. Every artefact within has a vinous association, tracing the story of wine back to Roman times. A cellar holds bottles back to the mid-19th century. It is open (by appointment only) except in August, and at weekends and public holidays

Private Museum of Wine in Art: Designed in 1962 by Baron Philip de Rothschild (1902-1988). This gathers three thousand years of objects dedicated to vine and wine. Some pieces are truly beautiful, coming from hardly every civilization across the ages, and singing the art of vine and wine: tapestries, glasses, carafes, paintings. The Mouton museum is part of a complete visit including the vats and cellars.