Pablo Picasso’s work was chosen to adorn the 1973 vintage by Mouton’s owner Baron Philippe de Rothschild “in homage to Picasso (1881-1973)” to commemorate Picasso’s passing earlier that year.
Château Mouton Rothschild was promoted from Deuxième Cru (Second Growth) to Premier Cru (First Growth) status in 1973 – the only wine estate to have achieved this since the Bordeaux classification was established in 1855.
The old motto at Mouton was: “Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis” (“First I cannot be, second I do not deign to be, Mouton I am”).
For the first and only time, the 1973 label displayed the château’s First Growth status and a new motto:
“Premier je suis, second je fus, Mouton ne change” (“First I am, second I was, Mouton doesn’t change”).
More on 1973 Mouton at https://ardenfinewines.com/product/chateau-mouton-rothschild-1973/