Château Mouton-Rothschild is a Premier Cru Classé estate in the commune of Pauillac.  Unlike Lafite and Latour, Mouton was not rated as a first growth in the 1855 Classification.  After establishing itself in the early nineteenth century, an ill-timed bad patch in the 1840s probably cost it that accolade and it was not until 1973 that it was upgraded to first growth. 

This was largely due to the work of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who had taken over in 1922.  He also introduced château bottling at Mouton in 1924 (which subsequently became key to quality across the Grand Crus Classé) as well as the artist-designed labels from 1945.  Artists including Miró, Chagall, Braque, Picasso, Francis Bacon, Dali, Jeff Koons and Prince Charles have all contributed labels.

The vineyard consists of 90 hectares on the “Plateau de Mouton” which rises 27m above sea-level, on very deep gravelly soils, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), Merlot (15%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%).