Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2025 - Second Vin (Primeurs)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Philippine de Rothschild left her children an estate in excellent condition, managed by an impeccable technical team. Originally named Brane-Mouton, the estate became Mouton-Rothschild in 1853, when Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired it. His great-grandson Philippe took over in 1922 and began bottling and marketing the wine. Mouton’s exceptional terroir and its very old vines—brought to their fullest potential in recent vintages thanks to favorable weather conditions and a magnificent winery established in 2013—produce what is perhaps the most technically perfect wine in the Médoc. This will not prevent it from retaining its depth in great vintages before reaching a peak that is predicted to be glorious. The second wine, Petit-Mouton, resembles the grand vin like a younger brother, and the white wine, Aile-d’Argent, is gradually becoming one of the most well-rounded in the Médoc.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Acquired in 1853 by the Rothschild family, Château Mouton Rothschild is closely associated with Baron Philippe. Upon taking the helm of the estate in 1922, he restored its prestige by modernizing it—notably through the construction of the famous “grand chai”—an effort that culminated in 1973 with the revision of the 1855 classification and Mouton’s elevation to the rank of Premier Cru Classé. Baron Philippe also turned the estate into the foundation of a small empire comprising other vineyards and a wine merchant firm. He also played an important role in the history of wine by being one of the first to bottle wine at the château, as early as 1926, and by commissioning artists to design his labels. Starting in 1988, his daughter Philippine, who passed away in 2014, continued his legacy. Her children—Camille and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild—succeeded her. Philippe Dhalluin has served as director since 2003. He oversees an 84-hectare vineyard located primarily on a ridge of very deep gravel known as the “Plateau de Mouton,” as well as a brand-new fermentation facility completed in 2013.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Philippe Sereys de Rothschild has presided over this iconic family-owned estate in Pauillac since 2014. The wine, as flamboyant as ever and naturally exuding generous smoky notes, is more in its element than ever. Although Mouton experienced a slump in the mid-1990s, it made a brilliant comeback in the early 2000s. Since then, a series of magnificent vintages has continued to write the legend of the only 1855 classified growth to have been promoted: it logically rose from second to first growth in 1973. Philippe Dhalluin, the architect of the estate’s revival, has handed the reins to a strong duo consisting of Ariane Khaida (general manager) and Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy (technical director). Mouton, which has had a new winery since 2013, continues to excel at the very top. Of particular note is the progress made by the white wine, which is clearer and more precise than ever.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Open and juicy, with a smooth character and lovely ripeness, despite an alcohol content of just 13%. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine, velvety tannins and a flavorful, complex finish. Juicy and complex. Well-structured. Plenty of blackberry and blueberry notes. A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Aromas of ripe blackcurrant, black raspberries, and chocolate, along with spicy and smoky notes of graphite, characterize the 2025 Le Petit Mouton, Mouton Rothschild’s second wine, which ranks among the best second wines of the vintage. Composed of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the remainder Petit Verdot, and aged 50% in new oak barrels, it captivates the palate with its full-bodied richness, a round and complex mouthfeel, ripe, pure, and precise tannins, and a superb finish. It is an exceptional second wine.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

If there’s one thing Le Petit Mouton makes clear right from the start, it’s that the bouquet is all about Cabernet Sauvignon! No, it’s not the oak that takes center stage—it’s the fruit. The tone is set from the very beginning. Hints of graphite and roasted notes are also present. However, they limit themselves to taking their place and fulfilling their role, while notes of blackcurrant and eucalyptus bring the focus back to the king, Cabernet! It is well supported on the nose, and this balance is perfectly maintained on the palate. The wine is elegant, silky, powerful, and subtly smooth, guided by serene tannins that bridge the gap with the acid structure. A Petit Mouton that is distinctive, relevant, and coherent—one that aims to shine for what it is, not for the accolades bestowed upon it. It may be a “petit,” but it has all the makings of a “grand”! 2030–2050

Falstaff