2021 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Le Petit Mouton Pauillac

Château Mouton Rothschild Winery

Château Mouton Rothschild is among Bordeaux's finest and has been classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé since 1973. Located in Pauillac, the estate is known for its rich history, iconic labels, and distinctive style. Le Petit Mouton is the château's second wine and directly benefits from the rigorous selection process for the Grand Vin. In vintages where Mouton Rothschild is blended exclusively from the core plateaux, such as 2021, Le Petit Mouton has access to plots often used for the Grand Vin.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Pauillac and the 2021 vintage

Pauillac is known for structured, Cabernet Sauvignon-driven wines with power, freshness, and excellent aging potential. The deep gravel soils along the Gironde estuary ensure excellent drainage and even ripening.

The 2021 vintage was cooler and more classic in style than previous years. Careful selection yielded wines with moderate alcohol, fresh acidity, and a more restrained power. For Le Petit Mouton, this resulted in a wine with balance, tension, and a distinct Pauillac character.

Vineyards and origins of Le Petit Mouton

The grapes for Le Petit Mouton come from vineyards surrounding the château, with sunny exposure and a high proportion of gravel in the soil. In 2021, this cuvée benefited from plots normally used for Grand Vins, which clearly enhanced its concentration and quality.

The location and soils provide ripe fruit, structure and a pronounced aromatic intensity.

Grape varieties and composition

The 2021 Le Petit Mouton is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon defines the profile, with structure, freshness, and length.

Merlot adds roundness and suppleness, while Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot contribute aromatic nuance and spiciness.

Harvest and vinification

The harvest was rigorously selected to ensure only perfectly ripe grapes were used. Due to the cool growing season, precise timing was maintained for each plot to maintain the balance between ripeness and freshness.

The vinification focused on preserving fruit purity and structure. The oak aging enhances the wine's character without overpowering the fruit, resulting in a layered and precise style.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine reveals a deep ruby red color. The nose is rich and expressive, with aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, and cassis, complemented by notes of licorice, mint, dark chocolate, and subtle spices.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a dense and velvety texture. The fruit is concentrated and bright, supported by sweet, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity adds tension and ensures a long, balanced finish.

Structure, style and drinking window

The 2021 Le Petit Mouton is powerful yet controlled in style, with a clear Cabernet Sauvignon signature. The wine already shows charm, but would benefit from a few years of bottle aging.

Within its drinking window, the wine will show more coherence and complexity, while retaining the fresh and classic Pauillac structure.

Summary of professional reviews

William Kelley rates the 2021 Le Petit Mouton 91 points, praising its rich aromas, velvety texture, and long finish. James Suckling awards it 95 points, highlighting its round structure, energy, and ripe fruit expression. Antonio Galloni rates the wine 92 points, describing it as refined, classic, and clearly Cabernet-driven, with good balance and aging potential. The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

Would you like to order Château Mouton Rothschild wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

Venison steak with a blackcurrant and cocoa sauce complements the dark fruit and texture.

Roasted guinea fowl with celeriac and thyme pairs well with the refined tannins and fresh acidity.

Grilled eggplant with harissa, yogurt, and pomegranate works beautifully with the spiciness and tension.

Slow-cooked beef cheek with orange peel and bay leaf combines beautifully with the depth of the wine.

Ravioli filled with mushroom and walnut complements the earthy tones and texture.

Hard cheeses such as extra mature Gouda or aged Mimolette enhance the length and structure of the finish.