The 2020 vintage of Le Petit Mouton is a standout second wine from Château Mouton Rothschild, delivering both elegance and muscle. Made from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, this wine is dense, structured, and full of character.

JamesSuckling.com | JS 98
Published: Nov 19, 2023

Lots of violets, blackberries, bark and iodine. Oyster shell. Full-bodied. Firm and velvety tannins with a long and satisfying finish. Juicy and reserved at the end. Chewy and soft. Needs time to open. First growth. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. Drink after 2030.

Decanter | D 94
Published: Jan 2, 2023
Drink: 2025-2040

Smells wonderful, perfumed, herbal, milk chocolate, ripe blackberries, cherries and blackcurrants, quite soft and a tad shy but you get a sense of fullness on the nose. Supple, beautifully balanced and textured, round but direct, it’s not overt or too big but just settles in the right places. Really elegant and classy, just so easy to enjoy moving from start to finish with persistence and confidence. It's not trying too hard and nothing feels pushed with an overall gorgeous tetue, weight, balance, and push still with excellent acidity, ripe fruits and an element of minerality that cleans the tongue. Sharp, serious and long. A great wine that's a joy to taste.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Apr 6, 2023
Drink: 2025-2045

The 2020 Le Petit Mouton benefits from the fact that the grand vin this year derives almost exclusively from the estate's core gravel terraces, meaning that many parcels that were included in, for example, the 2018 Mouton ended up in the Petit Mouton in 2020. Offering up aromas of cassis, cigar wrapper and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a broad attack and a layered, concentrated mid-palate.

Chateau-mouton-rothschild.com

The 2020 vintage of Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is a remarkable expression of Pauillac's terroir, showcasing both power and finesse. Crafted from a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, this wine reflects the estate's commitment to excellence.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Deep red with a carmine hue.
Nose: A complex bouquet featuring aromas of morello cherry and peony, intertwined with notes of nutmeg.
Palate: The wine offers a full and succulent attack, leading to a balanced and harmonious mid-palate. Close-knit, precise tannins underpin a rich body with intense flavors of perfectly ripe black fruit. The finish is flavorful and lingers long on chocolate notes.
Vintage Conditions:

The 2020 growing season was marked by a particularly mild winter and significantly higher than normal temperatures in early spring, encouraging early budbreak. Despite a snow flurry in late March, the vines remained unaffected. Spring continued to be warmer than usual, with spells of heavy rain, especially in early May. From mid-May, warm and dry weather accelerated the vegetation cycle, leading to flowering 12 days earlier than average. Early-summer heatwaves and drought, particularly in July, were mitigated by August rains that facilitated even ripening. Harvesting took place from September 7 to 24 under ideal conditions, yielding grapes in perfect health. Although yields were modest, the exceptional quality suggests that the 2020 vintage will be one of the great successes of the decade.

For more detailed information, you can visit the official page for the 2020 vintage of Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild: