In the glass
Aroma: citrus zest, white peach, subtle oak spice, mineral, honeysuckle
Palate: grapefruit, apricot, lemon curd, toasted almond, vibrant acidity
White wine of Mouton Rothschild from 7 hectares of sandy-gravelly soils, reviving a historic Medoc tradition. Rich and complex; Sauvignon Blanc provides drive while Semillon adds texture; partial barrel fermentation contributes subtle vanilla without overwhelming fruit.
What it pairs with
-
Pan-roasted turbot with beurre blanc
The wine's citrus acidity cuts the richness of beurre blanc while its Semillon texture pairs with the firm white fish. -
Lobster with herb butter
Luxurious shellfish calls for a white wine with weight; Aile d'Argent's Semillon component supplies it without losing freshness. -
Soft-ripened goat cheese
Sauvignon Blanc's bright grassiness is the classic pairing with chevres; Aile d'Argent elevates the formula with barrel complexity.
How to serve Aile d'Argent
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Pan-roasted turbot with beurre blanc, Lobster with herb butter, Soft-ripened goat cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Philippine de Rothschild initiated white wine plantings in the early 1980s, reviving a tradition of producing white Bordeaux in the Medoc that had nearly disappeared. The first vintage was 1991. Aile d'Argent is one of the benchmark white wines of the Left Bank, produced in limited quantity from 7 hectares of sandy-gravelly soils.
- 1991 — First vintage of Aile d'Argent, reviving historic white Bordeaux tradition in the Medoc
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Mouton Rothschild
- Grapes
- Sauvignon Blanc (53%), Semillon (35%), Sauvignon Gris (11%), Muscadelle (1%)
- Classification
- Bordeaux AOC
- Oak
- 50% new French oak barriques, 20% partial malolactic fermentation
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- $120-180 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1991
Scores
- Wine Advocate 95 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Aile d'Argent
What does Aile d'Argent taste like?
On the nose, citrus zest, white peach, subtle oak spice, mineral, honeysuckle. On the palate, grapefruit, apricot, lemon curd, toasted almond, vibrant acidity. Structurally medium-bodied, high acidity with a long with citrus and mineral lift finish. White wine of Mouton Rothschild from 7 hectares of sandy-gravelly soils, reviving a historic Medoc tradition. Rich and complex; Sauvignon Blanc provides drive while Semillon adds texture; partial barrel fermentation contributes subtle vanilla without overwhelming fruit.
When should I drink Aile d'Argent?
Drink 3-12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Aile d'Argent?
Pan-roasted turbot with beurre blanc is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Lobster with herb butter and Soft-ripened goat cheese. The wine's citrus acidity cuts the richness of beurre blanc while its Semillon texture pairs with the firm white fish.
What grapes are in Aile d'Argent?
The blend is Sauvignon Blanc (53%), Semillon (35%), Sauvignon Gris (11%), Muscadelle (1%). The wine is classified as Bordeaux AOC.