2022 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac 6x75cl

Antonio Galloni 91

The 2022 Le Petit-Mouton is a rich, powerful wine, almost exaggeratedly so in this vintage. A blast of dark cherry, plum, leather, cloves and licorice stains the palate with notable resonance. There's a lot of wine here, but the 2022 is going to need quite a few years to shed some of its considerable youthfulness. The long, sustained finish is very promising. [Antonio Galloni, 01/01/2025]

Anticipated maturity: 2028-2042

Neal Martin 93

The 2022 Le Petit Mouton has a well-defined bouquet with graphite-tinged black fruit that gains intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite peppery in style but there is ample sapidity and freshness on the finish. Very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London. [Neal Martin, 31/03/2026]

Anticipated maturity: 2030-2060

Wine Advocate 92-94

Representing some 29% of the estate’s production this year, the 2022 Le Petit Mouton shares much of the character of the grand vin, offering up a rich bouquet of cassis, dark berries, espresso roast and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered palate that’s fleshy and concentrated, with powdery tannins and an expansive finish. [William Kelley, 28/04/2023]

James Suckling 95-96

The Petit Mouton is more and more structured and intense. It’s made for the cellar. Full to medium body. Lively and intense. Solid. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, and 3% petit verdot. [James Suckling, 13/04/2023]

Jane Anson 95

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. [Jane Anson, 17/04/2023]

Jeb Dunnuck 94-96

Tasting more like a Grand Vin than a second wine, the 2022 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild boasts a deep purple hue to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe blackberries, melted chocolate, espresso, and graphite. Rich, opulent, and still balanced, drink this sexy 2022 any time over the coming 15-20 years. The blend of the 2022 is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot that’s still resting in 60% new barrels. [Jeb Dunnuck, 10/05/2023]

The Wine Independent 92-94+

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. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 14/05/2023]