Le Petit Mouton, Pauillac,

You often get powerful colour and texture with Petit Mouton, because it is never afraid to lean into its exuberant character, but this really does take things up a notch. Think chocolate brownies, olive paste, baked plum, damson, cassis, huge structure and phenolics, well integrated, with a plush mouthfeel and velvety tannins. Not easy to say when to drink this, because it is so appealing right now, even as an En Primeur sample, but the amount of tannins are going to safely take it through the years. One of the first wines that made me see the potential greatness of the vintage. Harvest September 1 to 26. 32hl/h yield. 60% new oak. 32hl/h yield. 80IPT. This is a buy.

Made from 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is deep garnet-purple colored. It needs considerable swirling to unlock notes of creme de cassis, stewed plums, and black cherries, with hints of charcoal, wood smoke, black olives, and tar. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam packed with black fruit and earthy layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering aniseed note. pH 3.86, TPI 80.

The 2022 Le Petit Mouton has an intense bouquet with violet infused cassis and blackberry fruit, just a faint touch of Medjool dates in the background. It opens extremely confidently in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. Structured, granular in texture and multi-layered, it's quite difficult to recognize this as a mere Deuxieme Vin. Long on the aftertaste, this is an outstanding Le Petit Mouton.