The 2019 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild is one heck of a second wine and has a rare level of depth and density. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, it reveals a dense ruby/purple hue to go with textbook Pauillac notes of cedar pencil, smoke tobacco, spice box, blackcurrants, and graphite. Deep, rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully balanced, it's probably better than many vintages of the Grand Vin. I absolutely love its purity of fruit, balance, and structure. It needs a healthy decant if drinking any time soon and will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age, but it will have over two decades of longevity. Just don't tell yourself it's a second wine and you'll think you're drinking the Grand Vin.

Aromatic intensity on the nose, a dark fruit profile - blackcurrant, plum and black cherry. So smooth, structured with good poise on the palate. It's quite a lean, direct style, tightly knitted with black chocolate, mocha and liquorice edges as well a roasted spice element on the finish - intensity is on the aromatics rather than the fruit at this point which is quite dark. Lots of fine but quite grippy tannins provide a round and constructed frame.

Cool ash and campfire fragrance envelops you from the beginning, followed by dense layers of blackberry, bilberry, cassis, espresso, and cocoa bean. This is easy to love, engaging and charming, although it builds in power and the tannins become pretty chewy through the finish. Harvest September 19 to October 5 (a little earlier that Clerc and Armailhac because Mouton is always an early terroir due to its abundance of pure gravel). 50% new oak.

The 2019 Le Petit Mouton is notably serious this year, offering up a rich bouquet of minty berries, cherries, licorice and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a generous core of fruit, youthfully chewy tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will reward a bit of bottle age.

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot. 33% of the production. Barrel sample. Another second wine loaded with charm. Expressive cassis nose with plenty of lift and freshness. Super touch of tannin, the texture smooth and silky. Good definition as well with plenty of length on the finish. (JL)

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot. Freshly picked black fruit, finely ground tannin, high but integrated acid and modest length. Tasty, modern, accessible bordeaux, drinkable now. (RH)