Viniou Reviews
Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Mouton Cadet 2022 Bordeaux Rouge is a classic blend born of one of France’s most celebrated winemaking regions. This iconic cuvée blends mainly Merlot, with supplementing Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, offering a vibrant yet approachable Bordeaux profile. The 2022 vintage benefited from a warm, sunny growing season, which has contributed to good ripeness and expressive fruit character. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and concrete vats to maintain fruit purity, followed by gentle maturation to soften tannins and enhance aromatic complexity. Mouton Cadet is renowned for its accessibility and consistent quality, making it an ideal introduction to the Bordeaux style.
Bordeaux, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and sprawling rivers such as the Garonne and Dordogne, enjoys a temperate maritime climate. This moderates temperatures and provides steady rainfall throughout the year, aids grape maturation and preserves acidity. The region’s gravelly, sandy and clay-limestone soils are perfectly suited for cultivating Merlot and Cabernet varieties. Bordeaux’s viticultural history traces back to Roman times, but today, it’s defined by centuries of refinement and the quest for harmony in internationally recognised blends such as this.
For food pairings, this approachable Bordeaux Rouge pairs excellently with a roasted lamb rack, grilled duck breast, or a rustic beef stew. Its supple tannins and bright fruit make it a natural match for hearty casseroles, charcuterie boards or classic French regional dishes like confit de canard or entrecôte à la bordelaise. For a vegetarian route, consider grilled aubergine with herbes de Provence or mushroom risotto.
To fully appreciate this wine’s vibrant fruit and gentle tannins, serve it slightly cool, at 16-18°C. If possible, decant for 30 minutes prior to serving to allow the aromas to fully unfold. Enjoy within the next three to five years for optimal freshness and balance.
