An unusually Cabernet-dominated blend that's 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc aged 18 months in 50% new French oak, the 2017 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild boasts a deep ruby/purple color to go with classic Pauillac notes of blackcurrants, lead pencil, graphite, and green tobacco. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and surprisingly powerful, it has a soft attack yet builds beautifully on the palate, with ripe tannins and a great finish.

The 2017 Le Petit Mouton is noticeably deep in colour. The bouquet is one of my favourites among the range with ebullient blackberry, raspberry, orange rind and Cuban cigar aromas that burst from the glass with wonderful detail. The 17 months in 50% new oak has ensured that the wood is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins. Philippe Dhalluin told me that it underwent a severe selection, representing just 21% of the production of Mouton-Rothschild. That really tells since there is wonderful harmony and precision towards the finish Le Petit Mouton is certainly growing up. Superb. www.vinous.com

Lots of sweet tobacco and wet earth with currants, too. Full body and round, polished tannins that are creamy and beautiful. A little reserved and shy now. A blend of 81% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Second wine of Château Mouton Rothschild.

Displaying a deep hue, the wine is full bodied, lush, polished and fresh. There is a depth of flavor, which arises on the palate with an attention-grabbing pageant of blackberries, cassis, tobacco and licorice. Thought-provoking to note the fact that this second wine is superior to every vintage of Mouton Rothschild produced in the 70s and most of the 80s. The exquisite balance was fashioned from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 13.2% ABV with a pH of 3. Tasted EP March 2018

A bold, modern and expressive wine from the team at Mouton Rothschild. Lashings of high toast oak slightly submerge the plum and blackcurrant fruit. `the palate comes through though with zesty, almost mandarin fruit vying for attention against the blackcurrant and plum fruit. Lively - good energy. - April 2018

The 2017 Le Petit-Mouton is endowed with tremendous richness and intensity. Deep, ample and structured, it is brimming with inky red and purplish berry fruit, pomegranate, spice, leather, blood orange, white pepper and wild flowers. The potent, plush 2017 is full of explosive energy that is just waiting to be unleashed. There is tremendous concentration of fruit here, even if the tannins belie some bit of rusticity. It will be interesting to see if the 2017 ultimately softens a bit from here. March 2020

This is a beautiful Petit Mouton, that has taken on volume and depth during ageing, but is still not quite packed with the exuberant character of this wine in the best vintages. It does deliver an enticing mix of bitter black coffee, blackberry and cigar box edge. Plenty to get your teeth into here, over the next six to 20 years, 50% new oak. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2040
Tasted by: Jane Anson (at Mouton, 21 Nov 2019)
Part of Top Pauillac 2017 en primeur scores

The 2017 Le Petit Mouton is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with notions of crushed redcurrants, black raspberries and cassis plus hints of rosehip tea, fragrant earth and mossy tree bark, with a waft of raspberry leaves. Medium-bodied, refreshing and elegant, it delivers wonderfully vibrant red and black fruit flavors with a harmonious, grainy texture and a perfumed finish. LPB March 2020

This has a pleasantly juicy and fleshy edge to the mix of cassis and cherry preserve flavors, while suave apple wood and warm stone notes glide in on the finish. - James Molesworth, winespectator.com, April 2018

Deep crimson. Pure minerally cassis, very refined and elegant on the nose. Succulent and pure in Cabernet Sauvignon character and the most beautifully fine tannin texture. So silky and with that lovely sweet mineral cassis on the palate. Very good. - Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, April 2018