Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 1994

Robert Parker : 87 points
"Considering the vintages and the estate, Mouton’s performances in 1989 and 1990 are puzzling. I have tasted these wines multiple times since my last reviews appeared in print. The 1990 is a hard, lean, austere, tannic style of Mouton that I predict will never shed enough tannin to attain complete harmony and balance. The wine exhibits a deep ruby color, less noticeable sweet oak than it possessed 2-3 years ago, hints of ripe blackcurrant fruit, and an attenuated, angular, tough style that is uncharacteristic of this chateau’s winemaking, as well as the character of the 1990 vintage. This wine needs at least 10-15 years of cellaring, but don’t expect a balanced Mouton when the tannin fades away - the wine is not that concentrated. In the context of a great vintage, Mouton’s 1990 is a disappointment. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020." (Apr 2002)

Wine Spectator : 97 points
"Black red. Coffee, cigar box and chocolate aromas. Full-bodied, yet harmonious, with a lovely, silky texture. A caressing and rich wine. Gorgeous. I have under rated this in the past.--Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2005." (Jun 2001)

Stephen Tanzer : 90 points
"Full, deepred. Knockout smoky nose of cedar, leather, earth, truffle and game. Then rather tightly coiled and far less pliant than the nose would suggest. Strong acids contribute to this wine rather powerful structure. But I don’t find the flesh shown by the best wines from this vintage. Finishes quite firm, youthfully backward and persistent. Still needs considerable bottle aging, but will this ever bet ruly satisfying? Drink 2010 to 2025." (Jun 2002)