Le Petit Mouton, Pauillac, 2021
Benefitting from several plots that would normally go into the Grand Vin, the 2021 Petit Mouton opens with an exuberant, exotic bouquet of spice, minty cassis, cloves and pretty floral fruit. There’s a good core of crème de cassis and hedgerow fruit supported by supple, powdery tannins. 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot.
critic reviews
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 more classical Petit Mouton than in recent vintages but it delivers Pauillac typicity coupled with grilled blackberry and rapsberry fruits, and the velvety tannins typical of this wine. Has a more serious side than in many vintages, but it doesn't lose that happy swagger and gourmet black chocolate and liqourice character. Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy director, yields relatively normal, after no mildew. One of the few don't miss 2nd wines of the year, and one that will be ready to drink within 4 to 6 years. 50% new oak.
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.
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.