Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 91-93
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
Anticipated maturity: 2028-2036
Neal Martin 90
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.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2040
James Suckling 93-94
A well-framed Petit Mouton with a tight core of black fruit and bitter-chocolate and graphite notes. Firm, fine-tannin structure. Mineral and classic with a classy finish. Punchy. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 0.5% petit verdot.
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93
The second wine of this great estate, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels. It has plenty of class and charm, with pure Cabernet notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco, and damp earth. These carry to a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant, seamless wine with fine tannins, integrated oak, and a great finish.
Decanter 92
Beautifully fragrant strawberries and red cherries, just so perfumed and appealing, really a very lovely nose drawing you in. An excellent Petit Mouton in 2021; serious intensity here but also such a liveliness as well as creaminess. It has weight and layers while having fruit intensity and a core of aromatics. There’s a softness and delicacy in terms of the tannins and frame – beguiling – but a real base of concentrated blue, red and black fruits – strawberries, red cherries and blackcurrants. You get the stony tones and the clove on the finish but this feels round, expansive and approachable. It’s uber glamorous, still with freshness and lift. A gorgeous wine with lots going on! 0.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.73pH. 14% press wine.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2039
Jane Anson 92
Beautifully rich and ripe, with sweet black cherry and raspberry fruits, and soft tannins that are earthy and supple. This is an excellent Petit Mouton that delivers consistency in an inconsistent year, managing to exert a gentle pressure of grilled oak without pushing too hard – one of the best 2nd wines of the year. 50% new oak. 40% Petit Mouton, harvest September 25 until October 6. The first vintage where it was Jean-Emmauel Danjoy from beginning to end, after Philippe Dhalluin retirmement. No frost impacting the yield here, and no significant impact from mildew.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2038
Wine and Spirit 90-92
Representing 40% of the total volume, a little more than usual, the 2021 Le Petit-Mouton, is aged in 50% new oak. A very Cabernet nose with conspicuous graphite scents infusing the black fruit, a little Earl Grey in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, not amazingly complex but well balanced with fine tannins and just a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Classic in style, it should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2040
