One of the house signatures of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the Mouton Cadet Héritage 2022 embodies a blending art where accurate technique meets generous fruit. Bordeaux AOP, this expressive cuvée highlights Merlot, the emblematic grape of the right bank, here handled with clockwork precision to deliver a wine with a fine texture, charming without affectation. Its deep garnet robe with purple hints invites exploration, while the nose unfolds layers of ripe black fruit and toasted nuances. On the palate, the broad, silky body stretches over a harmonious frame, between fleshy red fruits, subtle spice and finely chiseled tannins. Sourced from selected parcels and aged 24 months, this edition combines intensity and structure, with an estimated cellaring potential of 3 to 7 years. Regularly praised by critics, the Héritage line carries top distinctions, including Gold at the Guide Bettane et Desseauve 2021 and at the Elle à Table competition 2021, complemented by a Gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2018 and a 90/100 from James Suckling. At 16-18°C it reveals its full sap, in an approach both generous and restrained, true to the house's DNA.

Blend and vinification

Heir to precise know-how, this Bordeaux AOP is built around a blend predominantly focused on Merlot (95%), supported by a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (5%). The dominant presence of Merlot gives the wine its juicy core and velvety texture, while the Cabernets provide aromatic support, structure and length. True to the spirit of the cuvée, parcel selection aims for the best balance between fruit ripeness, freshness of the backbone and straightness of the tannins. The 24-month ageing refines contours, smooths edges and sculpts a deeper palate, ready to develop further with cellar time. With a alcohol level of 14,5% vol, the cuvée shows assured ripeness, backed by a savoury, well-paced spine. Every step, from the vine to bottling, favours purity of expression and stylistic coherence, for a Bordeaux that is generous, precise and true to its promise.

Tasting notes

• Colour: Deep garnet red edged with purple highlights. The brightness of the disk signals a harmonious density and generous material without visual heaviness. This depth of colour evokes a controlled sunny vintage, ready to converse with the glass's light.
• Nose: Opens on blackberry, black cherry and blueberry, joined by notes of fine cocoa, moka and roasted bean. With aeration, a discreet vanilla touch and gentle spices complete the palette, offering a bouquet that is both expressive and nuanced, decidedly gourmand.
• Palate: Rounded, enveloping attack; a fleshy mid-palate driven by Merlot where red and black fruits intertwine. The structure reveals fine, supple yet supporting tannins, then stretches toward a savoury finish marked by a subtle toasty return and a hint of spice. The whole combines breadth, structure and measured freshness.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve the Mouton Cadet Héritage 2022 between 16 and 18°C to fully reveal its aromatic definition and the delicacy of its tannins. A tulip-shaped Bordeaux glass is recommended to showcase volume, aeration and bouquet precision. Opening the bottle a few minutes before serving helps express the black fruit notes and toasted nuances more clearly. The wine can be stored in a cellar under good conditions, protected from temperature fluctuations and light, with a cellaring potential of 3 to 7 years, during which the texture will gain further suppleness and the palette more complexity.

Food pairings

• Gourmet appetisers: fine charcuterie, duck rillettes, black olive tapenade toasts.
• Starters: perfect egg with porcini, homemade country terrine, beef carpaccio with Parmesan shavings.
• Main courses: roasted duck breast, seared rib steak, herb-crusted lamb with jus, mushroom risotto.
• Cheeses: mountain tomme, aged cantal, farm Saint-Nectaire.
• Savoury finishes: crispy confit beef, oven-roasted vegetables, creamy polenta.

Occasions

The Mouton Cadet Héritage 2022 stylishly accompanies a wide range of convivial moments:

• For a dinner with friends celebrating shared cooking and a sense of taste.
• At a Sunday lunch around roasted meat and seasonal vegetables, when the table becomes the heart of the home.
• As a thoughtful gift for a Bordeaux lover seeking a precise, fruity and structured red.

Characteristics

• Name: Mouton Cadet Héritage 2022, Baron Philippe de Rothschild
• Appellation: Bordeaux AOP
• Type: Red wine
• Vintage: 2022
• Grapes: Merlot 95%, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
• Alcohol: 14,5% vol
• Aging: 24 months
• Cellaring: 3 to 7 years
• Serving temperature: 16–18°C
• Awards: Gold B&D 2021, Gold Elle à Table 2021, Gold CGA Paris 2018, James Suckling 90/100