2017 Le Petit Mouton
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Tasting Notes
Blackberry and blueberry character with black licorice and aniseed. Full body, tight and chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Tight at the end but shows plenty of potential. Second wine of Mouton.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The saturated purple-colored 2017 Le Petit Mouton Rothschild is a terrific wine and better than the vast majority of top wines out there. The blend in 2017 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc brought up in 50% new oak and it should see roughly 18 months in barrel. Cassis, graphite, crushed violets, and Asian spice notes all emerge from this deep, rich, beautifully concentrated wine that has a beautiful voluptuousness and expansive character on the palate.
This doesn't quite have the exuberant joy of most vintages, but is extremely well put together. I has some clear menthol notes, with fresh mint, cassis, graphite, and a subtle layering of flexible tannins. This is accomplished and lovely, but has a little less of a Petit Mouton signature than usual. Just 20% of the crop went into Petit Mouton this year - 25% less than usual because the Merlot didn't quite come through the dry summer and rains of September as they had hoped. 50% new oak.
Deep crimson. Pure minerally cassis, very refined and elegant on the nose. Succulent and pure in Cabernet Sauvignon character and the most beautifully fine tannin texture. So silky and with that lovely sweet mineral cassis on the palate. Very good. (JH)
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About the producer
Pauillac-based Ch. Mouton Rothschild is one of the five First Growths, producing some of the finest wine in Bordeaux and the world. Known for its flamboyant style, the label for the Grand Vin is designed by a different artist each year.