Magical Mouton-Rothschild

Château Mouton-Rothschild

This may be the finest tasting in the Club’s history: a vertical tasting of SEVEN vintages of first growth Claret, Château Mouton-Rothschild.  It is certainly our most expensive with over £20,000 worth being uncorked in one evening!

Mouton-Rothschild is a masterpiece of the vintner’s art.  Lying in the heart of the Médoc between the Gironde estuary and forest of the Landes, the vineyard is 30 miles NW of the city of Bordeaux.  Its wine is one of the most sought after in the world – from China to the US. Four vine varieties are cultivated on 188 acres of gravel mixed with sand rich in iron: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit-Verdot.

Balanced and full-bodied with powerful tannins and its legendary flavour of blackcurrants, Mouton is a long-lasting wine.  Originally known as Brane Mouton, it was renamed by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild after its purchase in 1853.  In 1924 it became the first estate to introduce château bottling and in 1973 was declared a First Growth.

In 1924 a special label was created, and from 1945 a new one for every vintage, except the millennium year 2000, designed by some of the finest artists: painters like Bacon, Chagall, Dali, Miro and Warhol and sculptors like Arman, César and Moore.

Château Guiraud

Our evening starts with a rare white: G de Château Guiraud 2024.  This is the dry wine made at First Growth Sauternes, Château Guiraud: a lovely peach and apricot style created from equal proportions of Sauvignon and Sémillon grapes.  It was first made for the 1987 harvest.  It was fermented in stainless steel to retain its delicacy and then aged for just six months, partially in stainless steel and the balance in oak barrels previously used for the illustrious dessert wine.

Mouton-Rothschild cellars

The red vertical starts with 1993 carrying the ‘naughty nymphet’  Balthus-designed label banned by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (so a blank label was created for that market!).

The concentrated but tough 1994 (Karel Appel’s label) and rich 1995 (Antoni Tapies) follow, the latter costing £900/bottle.

1980 - 2021

1992 - 1999

One of the great Médoc years, 1996 (Gu Gan label) will be compared with the lighter 1997 (Niki de Saint Phalle) and forward 1998 (Rufino Tamayo)(another £900/bottle).  Finally, there is the well-made, riper 1999 (Raymond Savignac label).

Our hedonistic tasting with be tutored by the newest Master of Wine, Bryce Wiatrak, who will fly from Chicago.  He is a noted wine critic (Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wines & Spirits, San Francisco Chronicle and the Wall Street Journal). He is the author of both Dessert Wine: An Encyclopedic Guide to Sweet and Fortified Wines and Tokaji and the Wines of Hungary. He holds degrees from Yale, Chicago Booth and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

A tasting of this dimension typically costs £400-475 with Mayfair wine merchants! The Club is offering this event at a very special price. Priority will be given to regular attendees.

Our exciting venue is the Concert Artistes’ Association, 20 Bedford Street WC2E 9HP.  Founded in 1897, it is the only private members’ club dedicated to members and supporters of the creative industries.  Its patrons include Judi Dench and Brian May.

Doors open at 6.30pm; please do NOT arrive earlier (as the Committee needs time to set up).  If you arrive before, there are many wine bars / coffee shops in the vicinity.  The tasting ends at 8.30pm

Dress code: Jacket and tie for men; please advise your guests.

For admission, please first check availability (info below), NOT please to the Membership Secretary.  Once confirmed and paid, either print off the numbered ticket or have it available on a mobile telephone for entry.

Seating is available for those who request it.

Book Offer

The Club has secured five wine books for members - all at discount prices.  The books available are listed on the Book Offer page available via this link:  Book Offer.

EVENT SUMMARY

Date:      Wednesday 28^th October 2026

Time:      6:30pm

Venue:    Concert Artistes' Association,  20 Bedford Street, WC2E 9HP

Dress:     Jacket and tie for gentlemen

TASTING COSTS

Tasting Application

Please check availability first by emailing tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk

HOW TO BOOK

Essential first step: Please check availability by either

• Via the on-line form above  (preferred method)

​           or

• E-mail your tasting application to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk

Please do not reply to the Membership Secretary or pay until confirmation of a place is received.

Second stage: Once confirmation has been received, please pay online to The Red Herring Wine Club at Barclays Bank plc:

The payment reference to use is:

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 020 8947 5082 or by e-mail to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk  (NB: NOT please to membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk)

Your booking is secure once payment has been received at which point your numbered ticket will be issued as confirmation.

Unfortunately the Club is only able to reimburse if advised at least seven days before an event.  If you are likely to be late, please ring or text 07754 108662.

Tastings take place approximately monthly and can usually be booked the day after a tasting has taken place.  Payments outside this schedule are discouraged and do not guarantee a place.

Please remember to notify any home or email address changes by emailing details to membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk.

Diary Dates: