2021 Le Petit Mouton
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Tasting notes
Le Petit Mouton rarely disappoints and, even in a more challenging vintage like 2021, it retains a wonderful elegance and high level of precision. There is wonderful clarity to the cassis fruit and a real crispness too. This has moderate levels of concentration which fits perfectly with its elegant profile. Despite its linearity, there is a good concentration of juicy fruit and it comes across as a very complete wine that will give years of drinking pleasure. If the second wines have largely suffered in 2021, Le Petit Mouton is the most notable exception. Aged in 50% new oak. Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The second wine of this great estate, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels. It has plenty of class and charm, with pure Cabernet notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco, and damp earth. These carry to a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant, seamless wine with fine tannins, integrated oak, and a great finish.
The 2021 Le Petit-Mouton is a powerful wine, but not quite the charmer it can be. There's good fruit density, but the tannins are a bit severe. I imagine at least some of that is attributable to the relatively high percentage of Cabernet in the blend. Overall, the 2021 comes across as a bit severe, though.
Representing 40% of the total volume, a little more than usual, the 2021 Le Petit-Mouton, is aged in 50% new oak. A very Cabernet nose with conspicuous graphite scents infusing the black fruit, a little Earl Grey in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, not amazingly complex but well balanced with fine tannins and just a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Classic in style, it should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.
About the producer
Pauillac-based Ch. Mouton Rothschild is one of the five First Growths, producing some of the finest wine in Bordeaux and the world. Known for its flamboyant style, the label for the Grand Vin is designed by a different artist each year.