Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac 2022

You often get powerful colour and texture with Petit Mouton because it is never afraid to lean into its exuberant character, but this really does take things up a notch. Think chocolate brownies, olive paste, baked plum, damson, cassis, huge structure and phenolics, well integrated, with a plush mouthfeel and velvety tannins. 

Not easy to say when to drink this because it is so appealing right now, even as an En Primeur sample, but the amount of tannins will safely take it through the years—one of the first wines that made me see the potential greatness of the vintage. 

Harvest September 1 to 26. 32hl/h yield. 60% new oak. 80IPT. This is a buy.

Drink 2027 - 2040

Darkly scented nose, liquorice, dark chocolate and black bramble fruits smell rich, intense and fragrant. Smooth, supple, clean, clear, and crisp, with a lovely purity to this with clear minerality and bite. A touch lean, some austerity here, though balanced by juiciness and corresponding acidity, nicely bright but serious simultaneously, given the dark fruits and spiced edges. 

Tannins are well integrated; this is sharp and straight, not yet softening and expanding but with great potential. With good grip and intensity, this is a powerful wine, focused with persistence—a great standout with lots of promise. 

11.3% press wine - usually at 7-8% maximum. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.86pH. 80 IPT. Aged 60% in new barrels.

Drink 2027 - 2042

Tasting more like a Grand Vin than a second wine, the 2022 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild boasts a deep purple hue to go with full-bodied aromas and flavours of cassis, ripe blackberries, melted chocolate, espresso, and graphite. Rich, opulent, and still balanced, drink this sexy 2022 any time over the coming 15-20 years. The blend of the 2022 is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot that’s still resting in 60% new barrels.

Representing some 29% of the estate's production this year, the 2022 Le Petit Mouton shares much of the character of the grand vin, offering up a rich bouquet of cassis, dark berries, espresso roast and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to a full-bodied, velvety and layered palate that's fleshy and concentrated, with powdery tannins and an expansive finish.