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Le Petit Mouton 2010

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

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Label

Tasting Notes

The 2010 Le Petit Mouton has a more open-knit bouquet than its peers, perhaps more red than black fruit, hints of sage and cedar emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, touches of graphite and cedar coming through, developing more depth and grip towards the finish. This is a beautifully balanced and very noble Pauillac that is bestowed with impressive persistence. That said, I would cellar this for several more years. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink: 2022-2040

94
Neal Martin, vinous.com (Squaress &), April 2020

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Le Petit Mouton gives up notes of sweaty leather, cherry cough syrup and baked blackcurrants with suggestions of damp soil, cedar chest and menthol. Full-bodied, the palate is decadently fruited with a firm, grainy frame and loads of freshness, finishing earthy. 2020-2046

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

It is a fabulous wine, but if you want to drink something reminiscent of Mouton Rothschild before 2025, it is probably worth taking a look at the 2010 Le Petit Mouton, which seems to be going from strength to strength at this estate. This wine has 14% natural alcohol because there is more Merlot in it. (Merlot is riper and ferments into slightly higher alcohol than Cabernet Sauvignon.) This wine represents 26% of the crop. The creme de cassis character is also present, along with tobacco leaf, cedar, and a more evolved, chocolaty, spicy note. Opulent, fleshy and round, it should drink well for two decades.

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

This is clearly the best second wine that Mouton has ever made. Truly superb with blackberries and currants on the nose. Full body, with super velvety tannins. The length is so wonderful and delicious. Dense yet super balanced. Hard not to drink now. Better in 2018.

96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013

16 Drink 2020-2030
Tasted 17 Feb: Very dark. Big spicy nose. Some slight green notes - a bit pinched. Lots of tannin here! Maybe second wines will be a little disappointing in 2010? Raw fruit.
Tasted 8 Apr: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc. A slightly green note arising, and quite slim on the palate. Fresh and easy and certainly no excess of tannin on the basis of this sample. An easy wine that seems much less ambitious than the other 'seconds of the firsts'. Sweet on the finish. Then a little inky. Overall much softer than the earlier sample. (Score: 16 15-22)

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011

This is the second wine of Mouton Rothschild. In recent vintages it has benefited enormously from the relegation of much fruit that would previously have been used for the Grand Vin (most of the Merlot and all the Cabernet Franc in this vintage). In 2010 it is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. This is seriously minty and cassis-infused with a prune-like depth of fruit. Very impressive and surely the best Petit Mouton ever made? A lovely core of black fruit is enhanced by black pepper and toasted brioche notes with good length and tannins to balance. One noticeable trend in 2010 is that the First Growths have really taken their second wines to a higher level than ever before.

93
Farr Vintners, April 2011

The nose has the freshness of red fruits quite bright and light. Richer flavours show through on the palate the black fruited mix underpinned by chocolate. Towards the back there is freshness that gives a tight feel on the finish.

88/91
Derek Smedley MW, April 2011
93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2011

Rich aromas of cassis and mocha chocolate, explosive, even exotic, with firm tannins to back it up, will give great pleasure. Drink 2015-25.

17.5
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. Is this best Le Petit Mouton ever? The 2010 has a very ripe powerful bouquet with blackberry, apricot, cedar and peppermint that shows a lot of vigour and what you might call passion. This well balanced with fine tannins, a superb line of acidity and cohesion. This is not the most concentrated 2010 Pauillac but it is very focused and full of energy. To answer the question posed at the beginning of the tasting notes...yes. Tasted January 2014.

93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2014

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot, this may be finest second wine Mouton Rothschild has yet produced. The selection process is unquestionably severe, and the 2010 Le Petit Mouton is even higher in alcohol than the grand vin. Abundant cassis, supple tannins and more near-term pleasure can be found in this full-bodied, rich, impressively endowed effort. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

The Le Petit Mouton has a very pure, quite intense bouquet with expressive Cabernet Sauvignon: scents of blackberry, cassis and crushed violets - almost Margaux like in personality. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety smooth tannins. Black shifts to red fruits here with wild strawberry and raspberry notes, leading to a harmonious sensual finish. Very fine. Tasted November 2012.

91
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

Tasted from the final blend that was done three months ago. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, the Petit Mouton is very focused and quite luscious on the nose, with scents of bright red cherries, crushed strawberry and vanilla. You can feel the sharpness of acidity on the entry that lends the wine good tension, powdery tannins towards the fresh blackcurrant finish. Le Petit Mouton continues to be not so Petit anymore. Drink 2014-2022. Tasted March 2011.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011

This is really exceptional with beautiful chocolate and blackberry character. It's full and velvety with gorgeous ripe tannins. Loving this. Wonderful richness and length

94/95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.