Chinese Art on Mouton Rothschild .... 1996

 2008 label is designed by a Chinese artist this will not be the first time – the 1996 label was designed by Gu Gan who is a pioneer of the Modernist Movement in calligraphic painting. His works have played a key role in defining 20th century Chinese art. His works are displayed in many museums both in China and the West, including the British Museum and the Museum for Far Eastern Art in Cologne.

Chinese calligraphy has remained unchanged since 2000 BC. It’s both language and art and Gu Gan remains true to this tradition, while at the same time taking a profoundly innovative approach. He has brought colour to calligraphy, shaking off traditional restraints and the insistence on balance, and adds ornamental seals to the actual drawing. Author of The Three Steps of Modern Calligraphy, published in 1990, Gu Gan is now regarded not only as a master but also a leading theorist of his art. His work bears witness to the idea that calligraphy can be a link between his own culture and Western abstract art.

For the Mouton 1996 label Gu Gan brought together in a single drawing five ideograms, all signifying the heart, varying the colour and stroke of each. This composition is called Coeur à Cœur (Heart to Heart) and the 5 hearts represent the different human races, joined together through wine.

Chinese art is a flourishing market and the soaring prices of Chinese contemporary artists over the past few years has jolted the global auction market, setting off a building boom in arts districts in Beijing and Shanghai and turning many Chinese artists into multimillionaires.

I

96 Points | International Wine Cellar , August 2011

(77% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot and 10% cabernet franc; pH 3.85; IPT 73; 12.7% alcohol; 83% new oak):  Bright ruby with a palish rim.  Intense, fragrant aromas of strawberry, iris, coffee, white pepper and bay leaf are lifted by an aromatic spice note; one can recognize the cabernet franc here.  Rich, dense and suave, with very pure red fruit, cedar and herb flavors that coat the palate and are nicely carried by vibrant, harmonious acidity.  Finishes with outstanding length, noble tannins and a late spicy, floral kick.  This outstanding Mouton has improved enormously since its release.  Tourbier agrees:  "We were a little worried initially that this Mouton seemed too rigid, almost austere.  Instead, it did a complete turnaround once bottled, surprising us as well."

94 Points | Wine Spectator

94 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate