Aile d'Argent 2021

“When I was a little girl, my father  made up a fairy tale for me, the hero of which was a magic teapot.  Its incredible adventures enchanted me and beguiled my childhood. The teapot was called Aile d’Argent – Silver Wing.”  Philippine de Rothschild of the legendary First Growth property Château Mouton Rothschild recalls her inspiration for the leading white wine of this estate.  Aile d’Argent is considered one of the gold standard expressions of white Bordeaux, and this limited production, ethereal white wine is as enchanting as the story behind it.

For those unfamiliar with the history of Château Mouton Rothschild, this legendary First Growth estate did not receive its accolades without decades of tireless struggle.  The property was initially snubbed during the 1855 Classification, and when Baron Philippe de Rothschild acquired the property in 1922, he decried the decision as, “A monstruous injustice.”  The Baron was a grand prix racecar driver, a screenwriter, a playwright, a theatrical producer, a poet and one of the most successful winegrowers in Bordeaux.  His belief in the Château Mouton Rothschild was so strong that he lobbied relentlessly for the French Government to reclassify Château Mouton Rothschild as a First Growth estate.  Eventually, his wish was granted, and the property now has the title of a First Growth estate.

Philippine de Rothschild, his daughter, carried on the tradition of expecting nothing short of excellence while managing the property.  In addition to improving the grand vin and second wines, Philippine planted a small parcel of the vineyard with white grape varieties.  It seems like a strange choice for a Pauillac producer to plant white varietals in a region so often associated with varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, but Philippine believed in the potential and versatility of this terroir.  Sure enough, her plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle thrived and ultimately produced a stunning, crystalline expression of White Bordeaux. 

Aile d’Argent was introduced in the early 1980s, and the idea of planting white varietals at Château Mouton Rothschild was birthed from Philippine’s desire to reconnect with an old Medocain tradition.  The wine is very much an homage to her father, the Baron, as he would tell her the tail of Aile d’Argent to comfort her during the frightening and tumultuous time of World War II.  During the war, the Baron was imprisoned, and he wrote the story of the magical flying teapot that captivated Philippine’s childhood.  The creation of this wine immortalizes both the story and Philippine’s memory of her father.   The vines thrive in the sandy, graveled terroir and after harvest are aged in 50% new oak French barriques.  The younger generations of Rothschilds – Camille, Philippe, and Julien – tend tirelessly to the vines and ensure the highest level of quality for this wine.  The wine has beautiful tropical flavors, and a perfect mixture of precision and tension.  Aile d’Argent is considered one of the top tier white Bordeaux wines from the region, and a cult wine beloved by many. 

"Combines a rich intensity to the aromatics and flavours with grip and uplift that keeps things sculpted. A gorgeous wine that delivers layers of apricot, white peach and sage with juicy citrus and edges of liqourice root. 15% malolactic fermentation balances the freshness of the vintage and keeps it very much signature Aile d'Argent, as does the relatively high proportion of Sauvignon Gris. No Muscadelle in the blend from this vintage. 45% new barrels for ageing, harvest September 6 to 20." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (01/27/2024), Ratings: 96, Drink: 2024-2038

"Sharp lemon and lime, grapefruit and apricot and peach - exotic yellow fruits and fresh white stone fruits. Lovely clarity and weight on the palate, it has the density and the texture, juicy but not too much, lively but not too much. Just a wonderful crystalline aspect - absolute purity but with the depth coming from the slightly exotic fruit - pineapple with peach and zest citrus fruits that add sweetness and bitterness while a lick of slate gives a salty tang. Rich but also light and playful - excellent balance and overall delectability. So many details on show. 3.25pH." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, Ratings: 96

"Another beautiful white in the vintage, the 2021 Aile D'Argent Blanc is 64% Sauvignon and 36% Semillon brought up in 45% new barrels. Ripe melon, honeyed almond, chalky, and bright grapefruit notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium-bodied, with wonderful purity, a great mid-palate, and one heck of a finish. I'd buy it." - Jeb Dunnuck (06/02/2022), Ratings: 94-96