2017 Le Petit Mouton
By Chateau Mouton Rothschild
2017 Le Petit Mouton from Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux
In the esteemed canon of Bordeaux blends, the 2017 Le Petit Mouton from Château Mouton Rothschild stands as a testament to the resilience and finesse that hallmark the Pauillac appellation. With the year's capricious climate, winemakers faced an arduous path to harves—but it is precisely this adversity that has underscored the prowess of the vintners and the tenacious spirit of their vines.
A Vintage Born from Challenge
Emerging from a vintage fraught with frost, which diligently sculpted its character, this offering from Château Mouton Rothschild is a striking composition. The 2017 vintage yields a blend where each grape declares its voice distinctly and, in unison, creates a harmonious symphony. It evokes intensity and precision seldom seen in years less challenged by nature's whims.
There's an indefatigable charm to the layers of dark fruit and subtle spice that 2017 Le Petit Mouton proliferates. The Cabernet Sauvignon leads with staunch determination, its blackcurrant boldness escorted by the pliant Merlot and dauntless Cabernet Franc—the triumvirate seamlessly coalescing into something far greater than the sum of its parts.
An Exemplar for Enthusiasts and Investors Alike
Wine investment cognoscenti will nod appreciatively at its potential for evolution and growth—both in the bottle and fiscal realms. As one delves into its structure, marveling at tannins that promise to soften beautifully with time, one becomes intimately acquainted with a 2017 Le Petit Mouton destined for distinction.
Investing in this creation from Château Mouton Rothschild is not merely an acquisition of another lauded label; it is to partake in a storied narrative of overcoming adversity—with every sip a memento of triumph over tribulation. The depth, complexity and adaptability of this wine deem it exquisite now and suggest profound promise for the future. As it soars gracefully through the annals of fine wines, its ascent in value seems as destined as its ever-evolving tapestry of taste.
In summary, Le Petit Mouton 2017 elegantly encapsulates an intricate ballet between terroir and climate. For seasoned investors seeking to enrich their portfolio with a wine that tells a compelling story of endurance and excellence, this vintage is an uncompromising testament to the spirited tenacity intrinsic to Pauillac's DNA.
Market price (USD)
$2,240.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
130.71
Scores and tasting notes
Blackberry and blueberry character with black licorice and aniseed. Full body, tight and chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Tight at the end but shows plenty of potential. Second wine of Mouton.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
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.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - winespectator.com
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.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 16 March 2020
The 2017 Le Petit-Mouton is dense, powerful and luscious. Even with all of its richness, the Petit Mouton possesses terrific structural underpinnings that give the wine its shape and overall persistence. Red cherry jam, wild flowers and sweet spice build into the finish in this decidedly succulent Pauillac. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The late season rains were especially challenging for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As a result the total production of Le Petit-Mouton is down around 28%. "After the frost, which did not really affect us, the major challenge in 2017 was heat stress," Mouton Technical Director Philippe Dhalluin told me. "We had no rain until the end of June. Then, in September, when we needed a bit of rain again, we got more than double what would have been optimal. The September rain affected the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, while the Cabernet Sauvignon was able to take advantage of the last 15 days of the growing season, which were much more favorable. In the cellar, we opted for longer macerations at lower temperatures, as we wanted to avoid extracting the type of hard tannins that mark other vintages with very dry summers, such as 2011."
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18
The 2017 Le Petit Mouton, blended of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, is very deep purple-black in color and a touch reduced on the nose (both times it was tasted), giving way to notions of preserved plums and blackberry preserves with touches of licorice, tar, black soil and truffles. Medium-bodied, elegant and with a firm line of grainy tannins melded with seamless freshness, it has a fairly muscular character at this stage and a long, earthy finish.
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
The 2017 Le Petit Mouton was tasted on two occasions, the first obviously reduced due to a later blending than its stablemates. Returning a second time in April, I still felt it needed a little more time and therefore I will seek to review this later in the year.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18