Embodying the prestige of Southwest France's winemaking, the Moulinet-Lasserre 2017 captivates both the palate and the eye. Handcrafted by Domaine de Moulinet-Lasserre, this elegant vintage boasts of an idyllic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Born from meticulously tended vineyards located in the heart of the Côtes de Bergerac AOC, it draws a unique mineral resonance and rich fruitiness from the clay-limestone terroir.

Critical to the wine's distinct palette is the wise winemaking process, entailing regulated temperature fermentation and careful maturation in French oak barrels for 18 months. A beautiful dark ruby in colour, with complex aromas of black fruits, spicy notes and a hint of vanilla, the Moulinet-Lasserre 2017 embodies a multilayered presentation that tantalises the senses. On the palate, the wine shows a rigorous structure with fine tannins, presenting a long, elegant finish. This vintage is the exemplification of Domaine de Moulinet-Lasserre's commitment to quality and tradition.

Regarded as a notable testament to fine French winemaking, Moulinet-Lasserre 2018 exemplifies a rich heritage stemming from the distinguished appellation of Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux. This vintage is the result of meticulous viticulture, hand-harvesting and mindful vinification process, affirming Moulinet-Lasserre's prestige.

Marking an exceptional year, the Moulinet-Lasserre 2018 decants an unblemished balance of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, showcasing beautiful dark fruit aromas and a refined palate, reflecting the calcareous soils that characterise their vineyards. Structured yet subtle tannins indicate promising ageing potential. It bears the distinctive imprint of its creators, the Thienpont family, who remains committed to producing limited quantity, superior wines.

As a fine wine connoisseur, indulge in the Moulinet-Lasserre 2018’s intense, expressive character and complex, lush layers. It remains an exquisite portrayal of its region and a substantial addition to any wine enthusiast's collection.

Please enjoy the Moulinet-Lasserre 2018 responsibly.

Vinous (96)

A gorgeous wine, the 2012 Pinot Noir is just starting to show the first signs of softening. Sweet tobacco, mint, crushed flowers, leather, pine and cedar all grace this mid-weight, exquisite Pinot Noir. Beautifully perfumed and light on its feet, the 2012 is all class. It is one of the early highlights in this vertical. Best of all, the 2012 has enough freshness and pedigree to drink well for many years to come. The growing season was marked by cool, late-ripening harvest and a naturally generous crop. In 2012, the weather was cooperative, cool and moderate during harvest, which was quite a contrast to the 2013-2017, all of which were more frenzied, winemaker Jeffrey Patterson adds.

Vinous (94+)

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is wine of real pedigree and class that is going to need at least a handful of years to enter the prime of its drinking window. Blackberry jam, grilled herbs, smoke and plum all resonate on the palate. Inky, deep and plush, the 2013 remains quite primary. I will not be surprised at all if the 2013 develops into an even better wine with time. That said, the 2013 is positively striking today, with compelling inner sweetness, tons of perfume and exceptional balance.

Halliday Wine Companion (97)

100% destemmed and fermented with as many whole berries as possible. Left to soak for four days, pre-fermentation with one pump over per day, then plunged three times per day. 15 months in French barriques (25% new). A bright crimson red. Perfumed and seductive even at this early stage. Aromas of wild red berries, gentle spice, dark rose and bracken. Concentrated and structured with very fine, sinewy and savoury tannins. A brilliant, non-mainstream Yarra Valley pinot that's been built to go the distance.

Halliday Wine Companion (99)

Stands proudly at the head of the Mount Mary portfolio. A blend of 44% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 5% each of malbec and petit verdot, each variety handled according to its structure. Open/static fermenters, wood/stainless steel, 10-14 days on skins, 35% new oak from a range of coopers and forests, 16-20 months in barrel. Mesmerisingly silky, with a kaleidoscope of fruit and secondary flavours.

Wine Advocate (88)

This wine, which was a medium-weight, charming example in its youth, continues to develop well. Recent bottles have been the finest I have tasted of the 1971 Mouton-Rothschild. The color remains a deep dark garnet with some amber at the edge. The wine offers up a classic Pauillac nose of cedar, black currants, and lead pencil aromas. On the palate, it reveals a savory, sweet, cedary, currant flavor profile with good freshness, adequate acidity, and ripe tannin. The wine is fully mature, but is capable of lasting for another 5-10 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2006. Last tasted 10/97

Wine Advocate (69)

This below-average effort from Mouton has the telltale hollowness of the vintage, a stale, flat bouquet, and deficiency in rich fruitiness. Anticipated maturity: Now-probably in serious decline. Last tasted, 5/81.

James Suckling (95)

I absolutely love the nose of licorice, minerals, black currants, and berries. Full and slightly hard and acidic, but I could smell it all night. It softens and turns velvety and dusty on the finish with lots of fruit. Why wait on this? Served from imperial bottle.

Wine Advocate (85)

Medium to dark ruby with some browning at the edges, this wine is approaching maturity and exhibits an interesting, moderately intense bouquet of ripe plums, spicy oak, and leather. Plenty of tannin is still evident, but the overall balance and depth of fruit suggest that the tannin will clearly outlive the fruit. It lacks the depth and concentration to be great, but for the vintage it is a respectable Mouton for drinking over the next decade. I must say that the wine's evolution has been much slower than I would have suspected. Anticipated maturity: Now-2000. Last tasted, 3/89.

Wine Advocate (76)

This wine has never quite developed, and, sadly, additional time in the bottle does it no favors. It is a high acid Mouton that has always been austere. What black currant fruit it possessed in its youth now seems to have disappeared or evaporated. It is the tannin, acidity, alcohol, and wood that make up much of the uninspiring aromatics and flavors. The 1979 Mouton is an uninteresting wine that has no place to go. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted 10/97

Wine Advocate (100)

Over the last couple of years, I had inclined to the view that the 1986 vintage was eclipsing the 1982 Mouton Rothschild, but two perfectly conserved bottles this year put paid to that hypothesis. One of the emblematic wines of the vintage, offering up aromas of sweet crème de cassis, cigar wrapper, espresso roast, spices and vine smoke, it's full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a rich core of fruit; ripe, supple tannins; and a long, expansive finish. Lavish, even flamboyant, and at the same time seriously structured and quintessentially Mouton, it encapsulates the greatness of the vintage. For readers interested in numbers, the 1982 attained 12.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.64 (that information is the result of a great personal misfortune, because I sent a sample from a tragically corked magnum to the local enology lab for analysis out of curiosity).

Wine Advocate (100)

Over the last couple of years, I had inclined to the view that the 1986 vintage was eclipsing the 1982 Mouton Rothschild, but two perfectly conserved bottles this year put paid to that hypothesis. One of the emblematic wines of the vintage, offering up aromas of sweet crème de cassis, cigar wrapper, espresso roast, spices and vine smoke, it's full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a rich core of fruit; ripe, supple tannins; and a long, expansive finish. Lavish, even flamboyant, and at the same time seriously structured and quintessentially Mouton, it encapsulates the greatness of the vintage. For readers interested in numbers, the 1982 attained 12.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.64 (that information is the result of a great personal misfortune, because I sent a sample from a tragically corked magnum to the local enology lab for analysis out of curiosity).

Jancis Robinson (18)

Dark crimson and rather luxurious-looking. Very polished and sumptuous – beautifully-knit nose. Very polished tannins and quite a bit of tannin tucked away on the end. Not heavy but a class act. First-growth quality confirmed. Super fresh and clean on the finish. At peak now. Not that concentrated.

Wine Advocate (80)

During the decade of the eighties, Mouton was the hottest first-growth in Pauillac. The 1984, which is almost 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, will be one of the longest-lived wines of this vintage. The wine is full bodied, tannic, concentrated, and rich in extract. It should have a surprisingly long life. This is a considerable surprise in a generally poor vintage. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 3/90.

James Suckling (99)

What an awe-inspiring nose of currants, shaved lead pencil, white truffles and earth. It's full-bodied and enveloped by silky tannins that lead to an earthy, long finish. Old, traditional Bordeaux with soul and remarkable complexity. Sensational. Drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

A wine that's been closed every time I've been lucky enough to taste it previously, the 1986 Château Mouton Rothschild appears to have finally come around, and it’s pure Bordeaux gold today. Still deeply hued and vibrant, with no bricking, it has a powerful, full-bodied style carrying lots of pure black currants, scorched earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and roasted coffee-like aromatics. Full-bodied and still incredibly concentrated on the palate, it has a massive mid-palate, polished yet still present tannins, and an incredible finish. A legendary bottle of wine, it lived up to every expectation on this occasion. It probably has another 50 years of life, but it's in a great spot today.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

A wine that's been closed every time I've been lucky enough to taste it previously, the 1986 Château Mouton Rothschild appears to have finally come around, and it’s pure Bordeaux gold today. Still deeply hued and vibrant, with no bricking, it has a powerful, full-bodied style carrying lots of pure black currants, scorched earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and roasted coffee-like aromatics. Full-bodied and still incredibly concentrated on the palate, it has a massive mid-palate, polished yet still present tannins, and an incredible finish. A legendary bottle of wine, it lived up to every expectation on this occasion. It probably has another 50 years of life, but it's in a great spot today.