Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2021

The 2021 Le Petit Mouton wafts from the glass with rich aromas of dark berries, cherries and cassis mingled with licorice, mint and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, it's dense and velvety, with sweet tannins and a long, expansive finish. As readers may remember, since Mouton-Rothschild itself this year derives exclusively from the two plateaus that always make up the core of the blend, Le Petit Mouton benefits from the inclusion of parcels that often make it into the grand vin.

Toasted notes on the nose; cinnamon, clove with dark, rich black fruits, then roses come through, some sweet blackcurrants and red cherries. Sleek and direct, a nice balance and weight in the mouth—halfway lean and focused, halfway textured and creamy—so the flavors give bite, the acidity gives tang and the tannins give weight, yet this remains straight and streamlined. Quite a complete, understated wine, feels more serious than many other second wines, thick and rich, but not heavy. Concentrated, still with high acidity, yet it feels complex and polished. No rawness here, no shiny brightness either; this is serious.

This is surprisingly full-bodied and round, reflecting the warmth and sunny exposure of the vineyard around the chateau. Tangy and vivid with currants, fresh flowers and plenty of energy and length. Delicate yet ripe. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 0.5% petit verdot. Needs two or three years to come together completely. Drink after 2027.

As I found out of barrel, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton has a pronounced graphite/pencil box-scented bouquet that makes it very classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins for a Deuxième Vin and fine salinity—a Le Petit Mouton with grip and backbone. There’s maybe just a little hardness to contend with toward the finish? Give this two or three years in bottle.

Tobacco leaf, cigar box, cedar, red and black currants, and savory herbs set the stage on the nose. The medium-bodied palate delivers its currants with a healthy dose of tobacco, cigar box, spearmint, and chalk. There is freshness, along with a refreshing, minty-edged finish. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and a dollop of Petit Verdot to spice things up. 13% ABV. Drink from 2026–2042.

Deep dark ruby with purple reflections on the pale watery rim. Delicate floral scent with hints of plums and black cherries, subtle savoury note. Medium body, elegant blackberry fruit is well integrated, balanced, savoury tannins. More marked by Cabernet than usual, mineral finish with a little nougat on the back palate.

The second wine of this great château, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild offers up a mini-Mouton–like nose of pure cassis, graphite, and spicy oak, and hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, plenty of fruit and depth, and almost velvety tannins. Based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new barrels, this textured, focused, impressively concentrated 2021 will benefit from 3–5 years of bottle age (which is rare for a second wine) and will cruise for 10–15+ years in cool cellars.

Le Petit Mouton also made clear progress compared with last year’s en primeur tastings. It has an intense, dark color, and on the nose it shows plenty of Cabernet fruit with liqueur-like top notes; it still feels somewhat closed and in need of development. Full, dense and firm, it boasts a large-scale structure. The core aromas are still not very developed, but the silky, melting sweetness of extract on the finish promises very good evolution. A taut progression, very powerful and intense, with creamy, ripe tannins that are ultra-fine and harmonious. Lots of Mouton character and real class for a second wine! 13.0% vol.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 13% vol. alcohol) Fresh, elegant, fragrant, floral bouquet, cassis, blueberries, mint. Elegant, fine, fruity palate with powerful, sweet, dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, delicately creamy, finely muscular structure, powerful, dark aromatics, long, aromatic, fresh finish. Can still improve.

(77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 13% alc. vol.) Fresh, elegant, fragrant, floral bouquet, cassis, blueberries, mint. Elegant, fine, fruity palate with powerful, sweet, dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, delicately creamy, finely muscular structure, powerful dark aromatics, long, aromatic, fresh finish. Can improve further. 17/20 2028 - 2045

A more classical Petit Mouton than in recent vintages, but it delivers Pauillac typicity with grilled blackberry and raspberry fruit, and the velvety tannins typical of this wine. It has a more serious side than in many vintages, yet it doesn’t lose that happy swagger and gourmet dark chocolate and liquorice character. Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy, director, reports relatively normal yields, with no mildew. One of the few unmissable second wines of the year, and one that will be ready to drink within 4 to 6 years. 50% new oak.

A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Petit Verdot, Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2021 has a deep garnet-purple color. It bursts with notes of black cherries, black raspberries, and redcurrants, leading to suggestions of lavender, underbrush, and camphor, with a waft of pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and vivacious with a racy line and fine-grained tannins supporting the crunchy fruit, finishing minerally. Nice!

A deep, intoxicating nose offering a whole array of aromas: from dark fruits to smoky graphite, with black licorice and iris in between. The wine broadens on the palate like a peacock unfurling its feathers, full of exuberance and assured of its beauty. A flavorful, saline, elegant palate with a delicious juiciness that persists throughout the tasting, and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish.

Le Petit Mouton immediately shows where it comes from, not only in terms of terroir but also in relation to its family and stylistic identity. Inspired by its elder, it positions itself as a great wine through its serenity and harmony. The tannins provide power and strengthen the mid-palate, while the acid structure brings freshness and character. A very fine success!

Dark, deep, and beautiful color. Intense, fruity nose. Inky nuance when swirled. The palate starts off rather caressing, with medium mid-palate volume. The wine develops with gentle tannins, featuring contrasting nuances where acidity emerges here and there. One to follow during ageing. Blend: 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 0.5% petit verdot. Alcohol: 13% - pH: 3.73 – IPT: 63.