A few days before his major retrospective at Tate Britain in London, the famous English painter David Hockney pays tribute to Baroness Philippine de Rothschild at Spencer House, the sumptuous London home of Lord Rothschild.

Jean-Pierre de Beaumarchais, Lord Rothschild, Camille Sereys de Rothschild, David Hockney, Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild © Stuart Bebb

Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild and David Hockney together unveil the display case containing the original artwork for the label of Château Mouton Rothschild 2014, drawn by the artist. Luminous and vibrant, it shows two glasses, one empty and the other full, telling the story of feverish expectation and the constantly renewed miracle of the birth of a great wine.

As Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild said: “The story begins in 1945, when my grandfather, Philippe de Rothschild, asked the greatest artists of the day to create a design to grace the label of Mouton, his wine, which he also considered to be a work of art. An artwork implies an original, and his daughter Philippine, my mother, had another idea of genius: that of showing the whole world the original works by Miró, Chagall, Picasso, Francis Bacon and so many others, hitherto seen only as reproductions on the label of the vintage they had been asked to illustrate. Now it is for my brother Philippe, my sister Camille and myself to continue that marvellous adventure, that urgent and impassioned quest.”

Just as the most famous names in contemporary art are brought together in a collection to which a new work is added each year, so the Château motto, “Mouton ne change” (I, Mouton, do not change), is perpetuated even as each new vintage reveals unexpected treasures.

The 2014 label has a very special significance for, in his radiant and colourful celebration of Mouton Rothschild, David Hockney has also offered us a symbolic portrait of Baroness Philippine as her friends knew her, for so long the guiding spirit of the legendary First Growth.

Every year since 1945, a great artist has illustrated the label of Château Mouton Rothschild. Thus, the most famous names in contemporary art are brought together in a collection to which a new work is added each year.

The commission for the illustration of the 2014 vintage was given to the English painter David Hockney, born in 1937. Influenced by Pop Art and a master of the most up-to-date techniques, from acrylics to the iPad, he nevertheless falls within the figurative tradition, especially portraiture, painting people and objects in bright, contrasting colours.

David Hockney was a personal friend of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, who died in 2014 and to whom his drawing pays tribute. Haloed by vibrant lines of force, signifying both emotion and wonder, two glasses, one empty, the other full, tell the story of feverish expectation and the constantly renewed miracle of the birth of
a great wine: Château Mouton Rothschild, of which Baroness Philippine was for so long the guiding spirit.

All eyes are on Cannes for the next fortnight as the Mouton Cadet Wine Bar opens its doors from 11th May until 22nd May 2016 during the 69th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival.

The family company Baron Philippe de Rothschild is proud to present the renewed design of the Mouton Cadet Wine Bar, carefully conceived with the collaboration of the rising star of French decorative arts Mathias Kiss. Located on the most influential spot of La Croisette, on the rooftop of the Palais des Festivals, the new space welcomes the world of cinema in a casual yet stylish atmosphere where « the French Art of Living » will be savoured with a glass of the new limited edition of Mouton Cadet wine.

Château Clerc Milon opens its doors to all visitors who want to find out more about the illustrious property.

Ideally located between two First Growths, Château Clerc Milon is now one of the properties to visit in the Pauillac appellation.

Château Clerc Milon has so much to share: not only the vinegrowing and winemaking that takes place there but also its architecture and its art. Visitors will see behind the scenes of how the property’s wines are made, starting with a description of its ideal geographical location and the discovery of its exceptional terroir.
That will help them understand some of the features that make Château Clerc Milon so unique, such as its commitment to the environment and an ecologically responsible approach, not only in vineyard practices but also in the architecture of the winery building and the energy sources used in its operation.
Château Clerc Milon will also reveal its attachment to the arts in general and dance in particular, reflected in the design of the label of the property’s two wines.

After discovering the magnificent barrel hall and passing through the vat room, visitors will enjoy a tasting of the property’s wines looking out over the vineyard. After the reception rooms with their unusual decoration, the tour ends with the exceptional view from the terrace overlooking the vines.

Practical information :

2016 prices :

• Classic Tour: tour with a tasting of two vintages of Château Clerc Milon and Pastourelle de Clerc Milon 2009 – €15 per person
• Vintage Tour: tour with a tasting of three vintages of Château Clerc Milon and Pastourelle de Clerc Milon 2009 – €30 per person

Closed at weekends, on public holidays, in August and between Christmas and the New Year.

Groups limited to 10 people.

Book now your visit by clicking on the text below to reach the booking form :

Book a visit

Pastourelle de Clerc Milon, the second wine of Château Clerc Milon, has joined the dance and already accomplished its first very confident steps in the company of fine Pauillac wines.

Living testimony to the considerable improvements in quality achieved at the property since the arrival of Baron Philippe and his descendants, Château Clerc Milon now has a second wine. It reflects the continual quest for excellence of this flourishing Classified Growth estate.

Pastourelle de Clerc Milon comes from an exceptional terroir. Made with grapes from selected vines on the famous estate, it is made and bottled with the same painstaking care. The grapes are harvested in small open crates then fermented in the Château Clerc Milon vat house and the wines are matured in oak barrels in the traditional manner.

The particular attraction of Pastourelle de Clerc Milon, a round and supple wine, lies in the rich elegance of its aromas and flavours.

Its name comes from a traditional dance, the pastourelle, which evokes a knight’s romantic encounter with a shepherdess: the name echoes the pair of dancers that adorn the label of the Grand Vin. Made of gold, enamel and pearls, this precious miniature from the Museum of Wine in Art at Château Mouton Rothschild belonged to Catherine II, the empress of Russia, and is inspired by characters of the Commedia dell’Arte. Baroness Philippine de Rothschild chose it as the Clerc Milon emblem because of her love of the theatre.

2009 is the inaugural vintage of this second wine, whose label also shows Château Clerc Milon’s two dancers.

Ready for drinking now, Pastourelle de Clerc Milon may be found on the tables of the best restaurants.

In January, Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild will be visiting Japan and South Korea this week to present for the first time the original artwork created for the label of Château Mouton Rothschild 2013.

Having invited the artist to Mouton in October to see his work in the intimate surroundings of the château, the idea came naturally of taking the painting on a journey that would trace its Asian origins. It will be an exceptional occasion for both the wine and the art, setting up a genuine dialogue with the places they encounter in a poetic and initiatory quest that goes to the very heart of a fascinating culture.

“If he hadn’t become an artist, Lee Ufan would have been an œnologist: he loves fine wines”, says Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild. “He spontaneously said yes to the idea of creating an original artwork and giving it to Mouton. He had heard of the adventure of this extraordinary collection of artists and it was quite natural for him to want to forge a link between art and wine.”

Through this visit to Asia, the owners of Mouton Rothschild, Camille and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, wanted to show their continuing commitment to the work of their grandfather and their mother,Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (1933-2014). She loved to travel to promote her wines, and Japan and South Korea were countries she especially liked to visit, both for their culture and because they were key markets for meeting enlightened wine-lovers. In a timeless tribute to wine, to a very great artist and to his genius for colour, these encounters perpetuate the illustrious First Growth’s motto, “Mouton ne change” (I, Mouton, do not change) – even in the midst of transformation !

Hugues Lechanoine, Managing Director of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, was invited to accompany Mr Manuel Valls to Japan from 3rd to 6th October 2015, along with Mr Emmanuel Macron and several other directors from CAC 40 and SME.

It was the opportunity to meet with Mr Abe, Prime Minister of Japan.

Hugues Lechanoine, Manuel Valls, Abe,

Every year since 1945, a great artist has illustrated the label of Château Mouton Rothschild. Thus, the most famous names in contemporary art are brought together in a collection to which a new work is added each year.

The commission for the illustration of the 2013 vintage was given to Lee Ufan, a painter, artist and philosopher of Korean origin born in 1936. Fond of natural materials and simple forms, he creates a mesmerising effect conducive to meditation, weaving his spell with art of great intensity, harmony and restraint. In his work for Mouton, the initially indecisive purple of the drawing gradually attains its full richness, just as a great wine is patiently brought to fulfilment in the secret of the vat house.

Mundus Vini Competition recently rewarded three Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chilean wines:
Escudo Rojo Chardonnay 2013: Gold medal and « Best of Show Chile White ».
Escudo Rojo Carmenère 2013: Silver medal.
Anderra Carmenère 2013: Silver medal

Mundus Vini is organized by the German publishing group Meininger, one of the oldest publishers specialized in wines and beverage industry in Germany (Weinwirtschaft, Meiningers Weinwelt, der Deutsche Weinbau, die Getränke Zeitung, Of Meininger international Wine business, Fizzz and Sommelier Magazin).

The Mundus Vini Great International Wine Award features highly qualified wine jurors. They consists of German and international oenologists, wine analysts, wine retailers, sommeliers, restaurateurs and wine journalists.

Escudo Chardonnay 2013 to shine at Prowein (15 – 17 march 2015)
Mundus Vini will organize an awards ceremony, on Sunday, March 15th, 2015 at 11:00 am, on the Mundus Vini stand at Prowein. On this occasion, Escudo Rojo Chardonnay 2013 will receive the award of « Best of Show Chile White ».

More than double pre-sale estimate – 100% sold – 93% of lots sold above high estimate.

Top lot
A rare 66-Bottle vertical (1945 – 2012) sold online for HK$2.94 million / US$376,900 close to three times low estimate.

Château Mouton Rothschild’s first-ever wine auction in Asia – Château Mouton Rothschild : concluded at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery. Following rounds of intense bidding in the room, on the phone and online, the sale achieved a 100% sell-through rate, with 93% of the lots sold above their high estimates, realising a remarkable total of HK$32 million / US$4.1 million (Est. HK$13 – 20 million / US$1.6 – 2.5 million*), more than doubling the pre-sale estimate.

Leading the sale is a rare 66-bottle vertical spanning 68 vintages from 1945 to 2012 (excluding the 1958 and 1963) which sold for HK$2.94 million / US$376,900. The vintage of 2000 performed extremely well: A nebuchadnezzar (15-litre bottle) of this remarkable vintage was sold for close to HK$1 million, more than double its low estimate, while another lot that celebrates the New Millennium with 6 bottles, 6 magnums, a jeroboam, an imperial and a nebuchadnezzar also achieved an impressive price of HK$1.72 million / US$219,900, more than double its low estimate.

This is the first time the Bordeaux First Growth presented a wine auction in Asia, which serves as a tribute to the enthusiasm of Mouton lovers in the region. The Château considers this a perfect timing, for the sale took place right before the start of the New Lunar Year of the Ram – the emblem of the Château. The burgeoning demand of increasingly sophisticated connoisseurs in the region, whose number has been rapidly growing in Asia in recent years, is another reason.

The auction is also significant as a commemoration of the life of the late Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (1933 – 2014), who had devoted much of her time, her energy and her life to the glory of Château Mouton Rothschild. A large part of the sale proceeds will benefit The Baroness Philippine de Rothschild Foundation for the Arts – a non-profit operation recently set up by the Baroness’ three children – Camille Sereys de Rothschild, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild – in memory of their mother. The Foundation will encourage and defend the creative impulse, in theatre, film and other performing arts, which were the Baroness’ professional and personal commitments for many years.

Commenting on Mouton Rothschild’s first-ever wine sale in Asia, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, present in Hong Kong with his sister and his brother, as well as Jean-Pierre de Beaumarchais, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild’s husband, stated: “We were especially thrilled with the result of this sale that exceeded our expectations. It is clearly the wine professionals’ and collectors’ recognition of our mother’s lifelong involvement in ensuring the quality and enhancing the reputation of Château Mouton Rothschild throughout the world. Thus, we look forward to the years to come with great enthusiasm.”

Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine (MW), International Head of Sotheby’s Wine, adds, “It was an honour to bring this unique auction to Asia and these extraordinary wines took flight over the five hours of the sale. It was a tribute to Baroness Philippine and the legacy she left at Mouton, which is now in the hands of her children who will take it into the future. We were proud to see some of the greatest Bordeaux ever made go to Asia’s most discerning connoisseurs who will enjoy and treasure these fabulous bottles – and nebuchadnezzars!”

Commenting on the sale result, Jamie Ritchie, CEO & President of Sotheby’s Wine, Americas & Asia, says, “The record prices achieved in this auction showed Asian collectors’ great appreciation of Mouton Rothschild and the perfect direct-from-the-property provenance. With 93% of the lots selling above the high estimates and a sale total of HK$32 million / US$4.1 million, 2.5 times above the low estimate, this exceeded our highest expectations and shows the strength of the market for wines with perfect provenance presented in Sotheby’s single-owner sale format.”

Numerous auction records were set, including :

World record for a Château Mouton Rothschild vertical at auction  :

– A 66-bottle vertical spanning 68 Château Mouton Rothschild vintages from 1945 to 2012 (excluding the 1958 and 1963) (HK$ 2,94 million / US$ 376,900 / 334 468 €)

World record for this wine at this format at auction :

– Château Mouton Rothschild 2000, 1 nabuchadnezzar
(HK$ 918,750 / US$ 117,788 / 104 521 €)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, 1 magnum
(HK$ 857,500 / US$ 109,936 / 97 553 €)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, 2 bottles
(HK$ 735,000 / US$ 94,231 / 83 617 €)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1982, 6 magnums
(HK$ 441,000 / US$ 56,538 / 50 170 €)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1870, 1 bottle
(HK$ 392,000 / US$ 50,256 / 44 596 €)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1959, 3 bottles
(HK$ 367,500 / US$ 47,115 / 41 809 €)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1961, 3 bottles
(HK$ 196,000 / US$ 25,284 / 22 298 €)

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium and prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.