2021 Le Petit Mouton

The 2021 Le Petit-Mouton is a bit slender and reserved in this vintage, but very fine nonetheless. All the elements are nicely balanced. Dried herbs, orange peel, mint, pine, cinnamon and new leather open with a bit of coaxing. I would give this a few years to soften. The Cabernet Sauvignon imprint is quite strong today.

- Antonio Galloni (12/2023)

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. (07/2024)

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 richness, 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 cruise for 10-15+ years in cold cellars. (04/2024)

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! (04/2024)

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, the Petit Mouton benefits from the inclusion of parcels that often make it into the grand vin.

- William Kelley (02/2024)