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.
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)