In Clive Coates recently published book concernig Bordeaux, he rates the
88 Mouton as only 16 out of 20, says to drink from now to 2009. He calls
it the least good of the 88 Medoc/Graves first growths. In his private
classification of Bordeaux, he has demoted Mouton from his top rank of
3-star to the next lower rank of 2-star. He states: "Sadly it is now
almost 18 years since we have seen a grand vin from Mouton, and it is
for this reason that I award it two stars, not three." It would seem
Mouton has gone down a bit since the death of Baron Philippe.

Mouton has always been one of the most difficult top Bordeauxs to judge
young. Just follow some of the reviews of the 70 and 75 from early on to
recently. It seem to be somewhat like judging the color of a chameleon.
However the 1945 Mouton likely is the top wine of that most outstanding
year, and the 1982 and a few others may not be too far behind.

My mailbox is always full to avoid spam. To contact me, erase
from my email address. Then add . I do not
check this box every day, so post if you need a quick response.