2017 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild

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.

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.

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.