In the glass
Aroma: cassis, dark plum, cedar, tobacco leaf, subtle violet
Palate: black cherry, graphite, smooth tannins, licorice, light spice
Made specifically from younger vines harvested earlier to preserve freshness. Le Petit Mouton shows a younger, more approachable face of the Mouton house style: cassis-driven, with cedar and gentle tobacco, earlier-drinking but still structured.
What it pairs with
-
Braised lamb shanks with rosemary
Earthy herbs and slow-cooked lamb complement Le Petit Mouton's cedar and cassis character at an accessible price point. -
Duck breast with cherry reduction
The wine's dark cherry and cassis notes echo the fruit reduction; duck fat is balanced by firm Cabernet tannins. -
Aged Gruyere
Nutty hard cheese draws out Le Petit Mouton's tobacco and cedar subtlety.
How to serve Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Braised lamb shanks with rosemary, Duck breast with cherry reduction, Aged Gruyere. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Le Petit Mouton was introduced with the 1994 vintage as a second wine bottled under the Mouton Rothschild estate. Unlike many second wines, it is made specifically from younger-vine fruit harvested at a separate, earlier date chosen to retain freshness and aromatic lift rather than simply from declassified grand vin lots.
- 1994 — First vintage of Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Mouton Rothschild
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Classification
- Pauillac AOC
- Oak
- 18 months in 50% new French oak barriques
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- $120-200 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1994
Scores
- Wine Enthusiast 93 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
What does Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild taste like?
On the nose, cassis, dark plum, cedar, tobacco leaf, subtle violet. On the palate, black cherry, graphite, smooth tannins, licorice, light spice. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a medium-long with fruit and cedar finish. Made specifically from younger vines harvested earlier to preserve freshness. Le Petit Mouton shows a younger, more approachable face of the Mouton house style: cassis-driven, with cedar and gentle tobacco, earlier-drinking but still structured.
When should I drink Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild?
Braised lamb shanks with rosemary is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Duck breast with cherry reduction and Aged Gruyere. Earthy herbs and slow-cooked lamb complement Le Petit Mouton's cedar and cassis character at an accessible price point.
What grapes are in Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. The wine is classified as Pauillac AOC.