Petit Mouton - Pauillac 2016

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe8/13/2020

The 2016 Le Petit Mouton has a very expressive, outgoing bouquet of copious red and black fruit, cedar and mint; scents of pressed violet petals emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, very lithe and pliant. The caressing, silky-smooth finish of tobacco-tinged red fruit reveals a dab of spiciness on the aftertaste. Two bottles tasted, one just missing some backbone, although the second is better. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe2/5/2020

Yvesbeck.wine

95

byYves Beckthe3/20/2019

Rouge grenat aux reflets violets. Cela ne fait pas l'ombre d'un doute, le Petit Mouton est le petit frère de Mouton Rothschild et il s'inspire de lui avec brio. Le grand frère ayant fait quelques bêtises avant lui, le Petit peut se contenter de profiter du chemin tracé. Il révèle beaucoup de fraîcheur, beaucoup de fruit et reflète parfaitement le terroir. Au palais, le vin est dense, doté de tannins précis et d'une structure qui confère de la race ainsi que du jus. Ce Petit Mouton est exceptionnel. 2022-2041 95/100

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/1/2019

In the running for the best second wine, the 2016 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton stands firmly on its own two feet and offers beautiful, classic Pauillac notes of crème de cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil shavings. Surpassing most grand vins, this rich, flamboyant effort is full-bodied and mouthfilling, with good acidity and thrilling amounts of fruit. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, brought up in 50% new French oak, it’s going to keep for 2-3 decades.

Wine Spectator

92

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

The gently steeped plum and red currant fruit allows light anise, iron and cedar notes to enter slowly before taking hold on the slightly taut, savory-tinged finish. The iron element lingers longest in the end, giving this a sense of refinement. Best from 2022 through 2035.   –JM

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

Deep and dark berry aromas with a center of cedar and tobacco. Full-bodied, tannic and rich with a solid backbone and excellent structure. Plenty of fruit and flavor. It goes on for minutes. One hell of a second wine for Mouton. Try after 2025.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

The 2016 Le Petit-Mouton has a classic blackberry, graphite and smoke bouquet that perhaps feels a little stricter than it did out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very pure black fruit and a precise, quite minerally finish that is pure class. This might be the best Le Petit Mouton since it debuted in 1993.

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 Le Petit-Mouton is a wine of total precision and class. Bright floral notes lift the red berry fruit beautifully. Medium in body, with incredible persistence and exceptional poise, the 2016 Petit Mouton is sublime. Blood orange, mint and chalky notes further nuances of freshness throughout. The 2016 is all class.

Wine Advocate

93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

The 2016 Le Petit Mouton is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It has a deep garnet-purple color and gives up an intensely plummy nose with cigar box and fallen leaves scents leading to aroma layers of kirsch, red and black currants and tilled soil. Medium-bodied with a racy line of freshness cutting through the muscular fruit and a good, firm frame of grainy tannins to support, it finishes on a lingering menthol note.

WeinWisser

17

byTjark Witzgallthe5/22/2017

Sattes Purpurgranat. Dichtes Kirschbouquet vermischt mit Cassis und Rosenholz, dahinter Burley-Tabak und etwasMilchschokolade. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit feinsandigem Tannin, da war die Selektion gnadenlos, da ist (fast) keinFleisch mehr am Knochen. Potenzialwertung! Braucht Zeit!  17+

Bettane & Desseauve

96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Grand arôme de cèdre, caractère « Mouton » presque plus marqué que dans le grand vin, dont l’ampleur et la pureté sont évidemment supérieures. Mais il consolera largement ceux qui ne peuvent s’offrir ce grand vin au prix actuel.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Le Petit Mouton is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc; it will be matured in 45% new oak, a little lower than in previous year (it used to be 60%). It has around 13.3% alcohol. It has a clean and precise bouquet with black berry, pencil shavings, crushed violet and a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and ripe tannin, very harmonious and blessed with a satin-like texture. It is a more understated Le Petit Mouton, but you almost miss the precision and detail, the mineralité on the linear finish. This has great potential thanks to the sheer quality of the tannins here.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Showing a deep ruby color, the wine is silky, polished, rich and full bodied. There is a freshness and volume here, giving you a luscious texture and length on the palate, with ripe, sweet, berries and soft, silky tannins. It’s hard to believe this is only a second wine . With an uncommonly high percentage of Merlot in the blend, this wine was made using 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and reached 13.3% alcohol. 93 – 95 PtsRead more at:http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/2017/04/2016-pauillac-tasting-notes-ratings-best-pauillac-wines-ever/

Vinous

91-94

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Le Petit-Mouton is exceptional. In another era in Bordeaux's history, it could undoubtedly have been a Grand Vin -- it is every bit that outstanding. The volume, depth and density here are truly remarkable. Sweet spice and floral notes develop on the finish, but it is the wine's sense of balance and poise that is most remarkable. Le Petit-Mouton is also without question one of the two or three best second wines of the vintage. Don't miss it.

matthewjukes.com

16,5

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(62 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 3 Cabernet Franc) Firm, sour, rather leathery and slightly dry, this is a rather confusing nose and it shows perhaps that the selection for the Grand Vin has pulled out a lot of charm from this second label. Pencilly, firm and also quite tannic this is a difficult wine to taste right now and I think that it could do with another assessment when it has softened. 16.5+

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Solid, muscular nose. Almost a bitter streak on the end it's so firm! Lots of black fruits and real juiciness. Some lift and life. A very zesty wine with admirable length. But not heavy on the flesh!

Wine Enthusiast

91-93

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This wine has structure and a generous fruity character from the ripeness of the Merlot in the blend. It is full in the mouth, with a smoky character on the palate and acidity coming through on the close.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

This is a very powerful Petit Mouton with so much rich fruit and power. Full-bodied, tannic yet polished and long. Muscular for the second wine of Mouton.