Pale gold color; citrus, peach, nectarine on the nose; lime, citrus, kumquat, yellow peach, apricot, honeydew melon on the palate.
Dry; fresh, crisp, round, with interesting refinement for a wine at this price point. Good acidity, no tannins or oak. Matured six months in stainless steel vats laying on the lees with regular stirring to develop smoothness and the refinement. Blend of 76% sauvignon blanc, 22% sémillon, 2% muscadelle—classic white Bordeaux formula. The sauv blanc is the chief flavor—since it is 76% of the blend, it could be labeled a sauvignon blanc in the United States. The sémillon and muscadelle contribute nuance. 12.5% ABV
Mouton Cadet began in 1930 because Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of Château Mouton Rothschild, wanted to bring the richness of the prestigious Bordeaux region to a wider audience by producing very affordable wines using excess grapes from Bordeaux winegrowers. Today, grapes for Mouton Cadet wines come from more than 450 winegrowers farming almost 3,000 acres in various locations in Bordeaux.
In 1988, following the death of her father, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild assumed control of the various Rothschild efforts and made Mouton Cadet the largest-selling branded Bordeaux wine in the world. She gave the brand a more fruit-forward style in 2004 and personally designed the bottles and labels.
Philippine de Rothschild died in 2014. Today, her three children: Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, (chairman of the supervisory board), Camille Sereys de Rothschild, and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild (both members of the supervisory board), manage the company.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet Blanc 2020 is simple and good value. Punches above its weight at this price point, as you would expect from Mouton Cadet and Rothschild. Citrus and lemon interplay with yellow peach and honeydew melon in an entertaining cotillion of flavors. Superb QPR (quality-price ratio). Pair with scallops and other shellfish; seafood linguine; goat cheese. $12
