1985 Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac

Label artist: Paul Delvaux

Serena Sutcliffe, MW: Wonderful scent of flowers and fruit - this is really the forest fruits vintage. Opulent and briary on the nose. Lots of fruit on the palate but less defined, less deep and less Cabernet Sauvignon in character than the 1986. Roses on the finish. This Mouton appeals to absolutely everyone. 08/08

Jamie Ritchie: quot;I am a big fan of the 1985 - it has a softness and savory character not normally associated with Mouton, but it does not lack power, depth or class. A satisfying glass of wine. 96 11/12

Representative blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc

Annual production: 17,000 cases and 3,000 cases of the second wine, Petit Mouton. There is also a small amount of white produced: Aile d`Argent.

The only wine ever to have moved up the 1855 classification - from second to first growth in 1973 - `Mouton`, as it is universally known, is a profoundly unique wine in Bordeaux. While the vineyards lie adjacent to those of Lafite, the wine could scarcely be more different. Mouton has a unique nose of spice, cedarwood and cassis and always has greater weight than Lafite. Since the Second World War, Mouton`s singularity has only been enhanced by its artists labels - a different artist for each vintage. This makes it a particular favourite of collectors.