The 2009 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Rouge is sourced from multiple vineyards (Rothschild has contracts with 450 different grape growers throughout Bordeaux), all Bordeaux Red wines are blends, this one consists of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in large stainless steel vats (no oak) for 6 to 10 months. Bordeaux wines can vary in quality from vintage to vintage, the climate does not always cooperate with the grapevines. In years where the weather provided ideal growing conditions (like 2009), Bordeaux wines can be of very high quality and even inexpensive Bordeaux wines can bring good value. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is a very crimson red. The nose is red fruit, cherries, raspberries, along with some Altoids spice and a slightly green herbal note. This is more complex than I expected a $9 wine purchased at the local supermarket to be. It tastes of dark berries, 80% cocoa chocolate bar and spearmint gum. The mid palate adds some softer plum and curry spice. The tannins give you a slight tug on the mid palate, not enough to get in the way, just enough to let you know they are there. The finish is light, but lingers for a while.
The Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Rouge is a very decent bottle of very French wine, it does not taste like it comes from California, Chile or Spain, it is extremely French. It is inexpensive and does exactly what it is supposed to so, which is, provide an enjoyable glass after work on a tuesday night, while giving you a little insight to what Bordeaux wines are all about.
