Petit Mouton - Pauillac 2014

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe3/28/2018

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.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

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.

Wine Spectator

92

byJames Molesworththe2/8/2017

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.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

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.

Vinous

88-91

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

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.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-93

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

With 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot in the blend, this wine displays a beautiful color with espresso and sweet black cherries in the nose. Medium bodied, with a supple textured, spicy, fresh, sweet cherry finish. To illustrate how good this wine is today, this is better than any vintage of Mouton Rothschild produced in the 70's and most of the 80's! 92-93 Pts

Wine Advocate

90-92

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

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.)

Asian Palate

92

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

This is a well made Petit Mouton with polished tannins and round with dark berry flavors and sweet oak notes. Attractive nose with violets, cedar and cassis. 36% of the volume went into this Petit Mouton. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byJancis Robinsonthe4/17/2015

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot. 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 (16..5+)

Decanter.com

17,5

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

With 93% Cabernet, this is more briary and powerful than usual, but still finely structured. The Mouton richness is there to come out. Drink: 2019-2028 (91)

Vinous

88

byAntonio Gallonithe4/15/2015

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.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

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.

timatkin.com

92

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

17

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Das Bouquet spricht an, zeigt eine feine, würzige Cabernetnote und Rosenholz im ziemlich sanften Bouquet. Im Gaumen jetzt schon ausserordentlich elegant und ausgeglichen. Ein Wein der eigentlich viel Spass bereiten könnte, wenn da nicht Mouton auf dem Etikett stehen würde und gewisse Kunden oder vor allem Gäste in Nobelrestaurants genau dieses Zusatzattribut suchen. Manchmal muss man halt bereit sein, für etwas weniger auch etwas mehr zu bezahlen. 17/20 2020 – 2036

Wine Enthusiast

91

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

90–92. Barrel Sample. This is a dark, impressively structured wine. Vivid black currant fruits explode on the palate and outshine the dense tannins. A great success for this second wine of Mouton Rothschild.   — R.V. (4/1/2015)

Wine Spectator

91-94

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015

This has a lightly dusty frame, but is plump overall, with delightful plum, raspberry and red currant fruit at the core. Singed alder and vanilla notes are subtle andnicely integrated, with a very elegant feel through the finish.