Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2020

Has clearly gained polish through maturation, remains opulent, approachable and rounded, already a pleasure to drink today.

Smells wonderful, perfumed, herbal, milk chocolate, ripe blackberries, cherries and blackcurrants, quite soft and a tad shy but you get a sense of fullness on the nose. Supple, beautifully balanced and textured, round but direct, it’s not overt or too big but just settles in the right places. Really elegant and classy, just so easy to enjoy moving from start to finish with persistence and confidence. It's not trying too hard and nothing feels pushed, with an overall gorgeous texture, weight, balance and drive, still with excellent acidity, ripe fruits and a touch of minerality that cleans the palate. Sharp, serious and long. A great wine that's a joy to taste.

Lots of violets, blackberries, bark and iodine. Oyster shell. Full-bodied. Firm and velvety tannins with a long and satisfying finish. Juicy and reserved at the end. Chewy and soft. Needs time to open. First growth. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. Drink after 2030.

The 2020 Le Petit-Mouton is fabulous. Dark red plum, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and cinnamon all build as this flamboyant, striking Petit Mouton shows off its considerable charms. Even with the high percentage of Cabernet, the 2020 is supple and quite soft for a young wine. Bright acids perk up the mid-palate, leading to the brilliant, sculpted finish. This has come together beautifully with élevage.

Black currants, cedar, flowers, spice, tobacco, and dried fruits create the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, mineral-driven, vibrant, and chewy with a core of red pit fruit and red berries that stick with verve and tenacity. The mid-palate and finish continue in the same direction with a strong essence of minerality that accompanies the fruit. The wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, 13.1% ABV. Drink from 2026-2040.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, a widening rim. Delicate nuances of noble wood, black wild berries, a hint of cassis, fresh orange zest, a little nougat. Juicy, elegant, ripe cherries, pronounced fruit, ripe tannins, a touch of nougat and caramel on the finish. Harmonious.

Very nice definition of Cabernet and Pauillac, benchmark cassis, dark cherry, fine spice, tobacco, some fine coffee and mocha notes, with great freshness and length.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: (72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc) Powerful, fresh, complex, full bouquet, cassis, fine woods, mint, herbs. Dense, silky, aromatic palate with fresh, delicate fruit, creamy structure, powerful, sweet-toned aromatics, plenty of fine tannins, long, vigorous finish with lingering after-aromas.

This delivers the expected glamour of Petit Mouton, although more reserved than in vintages such as 2015 or 2018. It retains a silk and satin touch to the tannins, and a ton of black cherry purée, spiced cocoa bean, coffee, liquorice root and campfire smoke. Deep, rich and enticing, the tannins are ripe but they have intent – this is a Petit Mouton to age. Think 8 to 10 years minimum. 50% new oak. Harvest September 7 to 24.

The 2020 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with gregarious notions of blackberry pie, redcurrant jelly, and garrigue, plus nuances of crushed rocks, tar, and dried Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate reveals very fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness to back up the delicate red and black fruits, finishing on an earthy note.

94-95

On the nose, it’s as if you were trying to peer into a very deep lake. The water seems black at first, completely opaque, but once your eyes adjust to the darkness, you begin to make out shapes beneath the surface. The bouquet is dominated by graphite, with notes of juicy blackberry. Silky, ample and voluptuous on the palate, all finesse, satin-like, with a divine freshness on the finish that lifts the whole. Perfectly balanced, sensual. A truly great Le Petit Mouton.

For some time now, Le Petit Mouton has chosen to keep a share of the spotlight it historically had to yield to Mouton. It started teasing its big brother a few years ago already, and it would be counterproductive to reprimand it! Quite the opposite: it heralds the grand vin through its own personality. The oak is elegant and well-integrated, and the wine shows pleasant freshness while offering fine, silky tannins that provide solid support. A Le Petit Mouton of great finesse, with a saline touch on the finish that enhances the aromatic expression and lengthens the finale.

Beautiful dark, purple color. Very aromatic nose, delicate, fruity, pure and subtle, developing a slightly smoky note when the glass is swirled. Precise yet generous from the attack, with a slightly lively touch, the wine stays on its round, silky texture as it evolves, before taking on an austere nuance on the lingering finish. It will meld with age. Normal length.

This second wine of Mouton Rothschild is dense, the tannins and black fruits giving intensity. It has a softer side, with sweet black fruits that are generous and rounded. Drink this wine from 2026.