Originally owned by the Segur family, the estate was acquired by Joseph de Brane, who renamed it Chateau Brane Mouton. The official birth of the Mouton we know today dates back to 1853 when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, motivated by the desire to serve his own wine to guests, acquired Chateau Brane Mouton and renamed it Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Nathaniel’s great-grandson, was a trailblazer in the wine industry, known for his innovative spirit and dedication to excellence. In 1924, he first commissioned the renowned artist Jean Carlu to design a wine label, a forward-thinking idea that was not continued at that time. In his quest to elevate Mouton to the same esteemed level as Latour and Lafite, Baron Philippe also began bottling the wine at the estate instead of sending the barrels to Bordeaux merchants. This required the construction of a 100-meter-long Grand Chai (Great Barrel Hall), designed by a distinguished architect. This change significantly improved the consistency of Mouton’s quality.

In 1945, to celebrate the Allied victory, Baron Philippe invited Philippe Jullian to design a label featuring a "V" for "Victory." From that year on, different artists have been invited annually to join the label design, establishing this artistic tradition. Under Baron Philippe's management, Mouton was finally elevated to First Growth in 1973, marking the only such upgrade in the history of the 1855 Grand Cru Classe. During this period, the Rothschild family also acquired two other Fifth Growth estates in Pauillac: Chateau d’Armailhac and Chateau Clerc Milon.

The vineyards of Mouton span approximately 90 hectares and are planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The estate's terroir, characterized by its deep gravel soils, provides an ideal environment for producing wines of remarkable complexity, structure, and longevity. The meticulous care taken in the vineyard, combined with state-of-the-art winemaking techniques, ensures that each vintage reflects the unique characteristics of the terroir and the exceptional quality for which Mouton Rothschild is renowned.

Mouton is crafted from the estate's oldest vines, the most exceptional vats, and the finest parcels, embodying the chateau's prestigious reputation. This wine typically features a deep color and rich aroma, with a full-bodied and powerful taste. Its tannins are mature and firm, leading to a long, satisfying finish. In its youth, the wine often exudes scents of wild berries, blackcurrant, black plum, and violet, along with hints of green pepper, cedar, and smoky notes. The oak barrel aging contributes flavors of clove, nutmeg, and vanilla. As it matures, the wine reveals more complex flavors such as dried prune, mint, cinnamon, mocha, liquorice, caramel, and tobacco. The most notable years include 1982, 1986, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016.

The winery has also produced a second wine Le Petit Mouton since 1993. Crafted from younger vines, it adheres to the highest standards in harvesting, vinification, and bottling, showcasing the elegance and richness characteristic of Pauillac wines.