5 minutes with… A vertical of Château Mouton Rothschild

‘This is an instant mini collection,’ says wine specialist Richard Young, introducing a series of bottles from the revered Château Mouton Rothschild, presented as a ‘vertical’ — a selection of wines from the same producer, made across several vintages, or harvest years.

‘The Château Mouton Rothschild vertical is particularly special,’ Young continues. In 1945, to celebrate France’s liberation following the Second World War, the Château commissioned an artist to create a custom label, beginning a tradition that continues to this day. For collectors, Mouton bottles don’t just contain fantastic wine, but are works of art in their own right. 

‘These are bottles that beg to be displayed,’ continues the specialist. ‘Every label is different, and tells a story.’ The artists commissioned include some of the most renowned names in modern and contemporary art, including Marc Chagall (1970), Pablo Picasso (1973), Andy Warhol (1975), Anish Kapoor (2009), Jeff Koons (2010) and David Hockney (2014). Each has, traditionally, received cases of wine as payment for their work. 

‘This vertical is perfect for anyone who is interested in Château Mouton Rothschild, or who wants to experience how wine from a single Château develops over time,’ says Young. Different years, he explains, can vary significantly — especially if weather conditions were unusually hot or cold. ‘Some collectors invite a group of friends over to try a selection of different vintages and vote on a favourite.’

For Young, this vertical has two highlights. ‘The most interesting label for me has to be the Chagall,’ he comments. ‘In terms of the wine inside, however, 1996 is a definite standout, because it was an excellent vintage for Mouton.’ These bottles are particularly special, having been hand-selected by the legendary wine collector Dr. Robert Maliner, a good friend of Michael Broadbent, the founder of Christie’s wine department.