Chateau Mouton Rothschild

"First, I am. Second, I used to be. Mouton does not change."

Few names in French wine are held in higher regard than Chateau Mouton Rothschild, although it was not always classed as a ‘first growth’ wine.

During the 1855 Bordeaux official wine classification, Mouton Rothschild was overlooked and refused Premier Cru status, much to the anger of Baron Phillipe De Rothschild, who described it as ‘the monstrous injustice’. The belief is that it was denied this honour as the vineyard had been sold out of French ownership to an Englishman.

This lead to intense lobbying over many decades from the vineyards influence owners, when finally in 1973, Mouton Rothschild was reclassified as a first growth wine.

From 1945 onwards, each vintages label was designed by the greatest artists of the time. Artists including Salvador Dali, and Picasso have designed labels for this wine.

In 1978 Jean-Paul Riopelle designed two labels which were then found adorning each bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

Lot 66 features four bottles of this wonderful 1978 vintage, three of which with one label design and one of the other, with an auction estimate of £400-£600.

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Graeme Maxwell

Entries are currently invited for the next auction taking place on 18 June. For a complimentary, no-obligation valuation, contact a specialist on 0141 810 2880 or auction@mctears.co.uk.