The Château Mouton Rothschild 1978 label was designed by the Canadian artist and sculptor Jean-Paul Riopelle, who submitted two designs that the Baron liked, and so used both.

The modern history of Mouton Rothschild is a sad but also a colourful one. During WWII, Mouton served as a military headquarters and production fell under the direct supervision of Goering himself.

After a period of exile in England and at the end of WWII, owner Baron Philippe Rothschild (whose wife sadly died in a concentration camp) returned to Bordeaux.

In 1945 to commemorate victory, the Baron commissioned artist Philippe Jullian to design a label, which included a V for Victory. This started a unique feature and each year since, with a couple of exceptions, an artist is commissioned to design a label. Famous artists such as Chagal, Miro, Dali, Bacon, Picasso and even Prince Charles have all contributed for which they were paid five cases of the vintage that they were depicting, plus five cases of a previous vintage. 

"A deep garnet core with tawny rim. The bouquet displays good intensity, cohesive, earthy, leathery but well defined and gaining potency. The palate is medium-bodied with some attractive decayed black cedar-infused leafy fruit with tobacco and a touch of graphite. Good persistency towards the slightly bitter finish with touches of soy and pain grille." eRobertParker.com