Mouton Cadet is unchanging in its consistency. It is not in any sense comparable to Mouton Rothschild, and is not its second wine. However, many wine drinkers appreciate its well-rounded, supple character, and the fact that it is produced with the expertise of a top château. MC is one of the most widely-distributed brands in the world, with millions of bottles sold every year. Mouton Cadet is the first branded wine, created by the Rothschild family in 1930. In that year Baron Philippe de Rothschild decided to declassify his wine and sell it under the name Mouton Cadet. It was an immediate success. At that time it was still a Pauillac. In subsequent years there were not enough grapes, which had to be sourced from other communes and wine-producing areas. Mouton Cadet thus became a Bordeaux, produced every year. Its success remains undiminished and a white Mouton cadet was created in the 1970s. There is now even a rosé version.

Mouton Cadet is a medium-bodied Bordeaux, ideal for drinking quite young. It was created to be reliably consistent vintage after vintage.