Pleasure meets enthusiasm, Bordeaux; Paulliac (France)

1976 Château Mouton Rothschild

(Wine was served chilled) ruby red in colour with a brownish tinge around the edge. The nose combines cherry, tobacco, leather, sour cherry and a hint of apple mint. This light-bodied wine combines flavours of tobacco, tea notes and a hint of apple mint and has a medium length finish. A fine wine, but it has reached the end of its life. Drink up. 80 points. Tasted in April 2007.

1983 Château Mouton Rothschild double magnum

Red/purple in colour with an orange tinge around the edge. The nose offers aromas of tobacco, leather, delicate sour cherry, cherry and a hint of coffee. It is medium-bodied with strong tannins and its intrinsic characteristic is its harmonious and long finish. It is a world-class wine from an underrated vintage. Drink now until 2025. 95 points. Tasted in April 2007.

1987 Château Mouton Rothschild

Purple/red in colour with a brownish tinge around the edge. The nose reveals hints of tea, creamy caramel notes and animal tones. The wine is medium-bodied with soft tannins and delicate cherry notes, tobacco and a hint of leather and has a long finish. It is a great surprise; an excellent wine from a difficult year. Drink now and enjoy until 2014. 90 points.

1988 Château Mouton Rothschild

 Ruby red in colour with brownish hues. The nose combines soya, delicate cherry, a roasted and leafy aroma, apple mint, and a subtle hint of elderberry. It is a full-bodied wine with a hint of tannins that has superb length on the palate. Drink and enjoy. This wine has a half fruit/half terroir note. Drink until 2018. 92 points. The appeal of this wine is its finesse and elegance.

1989 Château Mouton Rothschild

Deep garnet red in colour with aromas of soya and rosemary, reminiscent of candied fruits. A fine note of mocha can also be detected. It is an extremely full-bodied wine with soft caramel and a hint of mint on the palate and an extremely long, tannic finish. Powerful but unbalanced wine, spoiled by the sharp taste. Wait for the tannins to soften; needs to mature. 2012 to 2025. 85 points. Tasted in April 2007.

2000 Château Mouton Rothschild

 Deep garnet red in colour and a nose of tobacco, blueberries, cherry, coffee and roasted accents. This wine has a strong cherry taste with a hint of sour cherry and coconut. It is a powerful wine that is very tannic and dominant on the palate. It is a heavyweight of a wine, very closed and with extremely prominent tannins. Provides little drinking pleasure at the moment. Wait until 2019-2036. Potential rating 94, if everything harmonises, a higher rating is possible. Tasted in April 2007.