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Le Petit Mouton 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

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Tasting Notes

The 2009 vintage is administrator Philippe Dalhuin-s finest effort to date. I don-t think I have ever enjoyed a Le Petit Mouton (which represents 27% of their total production) more than his 2009, which is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Dense ruby/purple, with plenty of ripeness, it displays the famous Mouton creme de cassis intermixed with spring flowers, licorice and some background forest floor notes. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 15 or more years.

90
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

Impressive aromas of mint, mineral and black fruits follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and persistent finish. Dense and well-structured. 63 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 percent Merlot and 15 percent Cabernet Franc.

90/93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2010

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc - one of the highest proportions of Cabernet Franc. Very solid and rather arresting on the nose. Then just a little rustic on the palate. Chewy tannins - not the ultra-suppleness of, say, Carruades and Les Forts. More of an obvious second wine? Rather drying tannins on the finish. Date tasted 1st April 2010. Drink 2018-2026.

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

Fine dark red, beautiful cassis nose, fragrant and plummy, silky/satiny texture, very seductive classy black fruits with good tannin back-up. Drink 2014-20.

17.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010

Plenty of bitter chocolate character, but also a lot of cassis and flesh, the abundant fine tannins making this big, ripe wine very attractive. Long, imposing, but beautifully balanced finish. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

95
Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com, March 2019
Read more tasting notes...

The second wine, the 2009 Le Petit Mouton, is the finest second wine they have ever made. Aromas of black currants, flowers, mocha, and earth jump from the glass of this fleshy, heady, full-bodied wine. The final blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, and the alcohol level is slightly higher than the Mouton's. It should drink well for 15+ years. (Tasted once.) Dirnk 2010-2025.

Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new oak. The Le Petit Mouton 2009 has a very classic nose with black fruits, sous-bois, cedar and a touch of black pepper. Perhaps it is a little subdued this morning? The palate is very well balanced, elegant, a little edgy and drier that others I have tasted, but it has that elusive element of "personality" on the finish that makes me warm to it. I think the Cabernet Franc is very expressive here. Tasted November 2011.

90
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, December 2011

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc with around 8% vin de presse. This has a very deep purple/garnet core. The nose is quite rich, well defined, opulent for a Le Petit Mouton (obviously not so Petit this year!) Blackberry, a touch of plum, Mirabelle with just a hint of damon. Good lift. The palate is much more tannic than I expect, a feisty Le Petit Mouton, firm tannins, rigid structure with a touch of savoury fruit towards the spice-tinged finish. Moderate length. Perhaps it needs to calm down a bit...a bit tough on the finish. Tasted March 2010.

88/90
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.