Le Petit Mouton 2014

The 2014 Le Petit Mouton has a deep and powerful bouquet with blackberry, raspberry preserve, cedar and sandalwood, pencil shavings (the latter becoming more and more evident with time in the glass.) The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, plenty of cedar and tar-infused black fruit offset by a fine thread of acidity. It is just missing some depth and fleshiness towards the finish that as a consequence feels a little austere and mean. But I suspect it will improve in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2020 - 2040

The 2014 Le Petit Mouton has quite a sophisticated bouquet with black fruit, black truffle, pencil box and a light marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with a graphite-driven entry, the acidity very well judged, gently building towards an elegant, supple finish that seems to caress the mouth. These days, Le Petit Mouton is equal to many Grand Vin in Pauillac—a remarkable melioration over the last decade. Drink 2020-2040

The Le Petit Mouton 2014 is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, a very high percentage of the former, partly due to the higher quality of Merlot that predicated “promotion” into the Grand Vin. It has an intense pencil shaving nose that does not hold back. If you don’t like Cabernet Sauvignon, don’t come near. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannin on the entry. There is part of me wishing that there was some fleshy Merlot to alleviate some of the austerity coming through on the salty finish, though that dominance of Cabernet lends it a rather “old school” feel that I appreciate. Drink this not so small deuxième vin with a Cohiba! (N.B. Unlike the Grand Vin, in the second week the wine was showing a little more succulence on the finish and my scores takes account of this.)

Gun metal, blackcurrants, stones and blueberries. Sweet tobacco, too. Full-bodied, firm and powerful. Very minerally. 93% cabernet. Needs three to four years to soften. Layered and beautiful. Second wine of Mouton.

This is so typical of cabernet. Wow. Full body, round and velvety tannins and lots of earthy, spicy and berry character. Juicy and long. Gorgeous. 93% cabernet sauvignon and the rest is merlot. Not really a second wine of Mouton. Excellent.

The Le Petit-Mouton is dark, rich and enveloping. The higher %age of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through in the wine's distinctive savory profile. Vivid and nuanced, the Petit Mouton is everything a second wine should be. A host of inky dark fruit, lavender and savory notes get an extra kick of freshness from the high acidity that is typical of the year.

The 2014 Le Petit-Mouton reveals soft contours and an open-knit, supple personality that make it an excellent choice for near-term drinking. Plums, crushed flowers, cinnamon, sweet dark berries and tobacco add depth on the forward, racy finish.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Light but rather intriguing and dramatic nose. Minty. Slightly raw tannins with some greenness. Far from the ripest 2014 Pauillac!
Drink 2024-2039

Light crimson. Pretty classy nose. Good intensity of fruit. Very polished and soigné. Really very pretty though without great intensity. Lovely lift and charm. Another very good first-growth second wine (see Pavillon Rouge!). A little underripeness and slight dryness on the finish.
Drink 2023-2032

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. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot in 2014. Deep purple colour. Black fruit and black pepper on the nose with a little cocoa. The palate is spicy with new oak and black pepper with some bramble fruits. Freshness comes from the lively acidity amd bright, crunchy red fruit core. The tannins are mouthfilling but soft and yielding. The finish is fresh and spicy.

Very pure, with a gorgeous core of cassis and plum fruit infused with a bright anise note, all draped over a solid but rounded structure. Iron-edged grip pulls everything into tight focus, ending with a mouthwatering echo. Best from 2020 through 2030.

The nose has fragrant charm bright and fresh with a mix of red fruits black red cherry and bilberry. There is mid richness black fruits depth of flavour and although quite fleshy at the back the finish has more of a red fruited freshness. 2025-36