Among the signature estates of Pauillac, Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2016 stands out as a luminous interpretation of the house style. The domain's second wine gives the enthusiast an accessible gateway to the Mouton aesthetic, combining intensity and precision without sacrificing finesse. For those seeking a deep, vibrant and already expressive Bordeaux, this 2016 unfolds a classic palette of dark fruit and spice, supported by a noble mineral backbone. You will find what Pauillac does best here: a solid yet caressing mouthfeel, polished tannins and a pleasing length. At the table it accompanies bold dishes with natural elegance. In the cellar it promises harmonious evolution, gaining complexity and relief over time. Decanting fully reveals its brightness, bringing out notes of blackcurrant, graphite and blond tobacco, followed by a hint of cocoa that signs the house. It is a wine for conversation, gastronomy and collecting, capable of elevating a dinner or honouring a special occasion.

Assemblage et vinification

The 2016 vintage is built around a precise blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. This composition underlines the aromatic drive of the dark fruit and the characteristic backbone of great Pauillac. Produced from a rigorous selection, the wine is made with constant care in the estate's cellars to preserve the fruit's brightness, the clarity of contours and the depth of texture. Le Petit Mouton thus displays an immediately appealing profile while retaining a reserve that will allow it to gain complexity over time. The integration of tannins, the balance between ripeness and freshness, as well as the purity of the juice, compose a broad-score partition, crafted for gastronomy and measured ageing. The 2016 combines energy, precision and harmony, in a distinctly Pauillac expression.

Notes de dégustation

• Colour : Deep purple with garnet highlights, bright and dense, announcing remarkable concentration and well-structured material.
• Nose : Core of blackcurrant and blackberry, lifted by accents of graphite and tobacco, then a nuance of cocoa and gentle spices. Breathing reveals a discreet menthol freshness that brings lift and clarity.
• Palate : Generous and precise attack, dense mid-palate with a velvety texture, elegant and sapid tannins. The balance between power and freshness lengthens the finish, which is straight and persistent, marked by dark fruit and a noble salinity.

Température de service et conseils

To deliver its full aromatic dimension, serve this Pauillac at cellar temperature, using generous glasses that favour oxygenation. Decanting is recommended in the early years of ageing to harmonise texture and exalt the bouquet. After opening, allow a few moments of breathing to see the register of dark fruit, graphite and tobacco and cocoa notes unfold. Store the bottle away from light, on its side, in a cool and stable environment to allow the wine to evolve serenely.

Accords mets et vin

• Roasted meats : herb-crusted rack of lamb, dry-aged côte de boeuf, rich jus and seasonal garnishes.
• Noble poultry : roasted pigeon, reduced sauce with warm spices, celery purée or creamy polenta.
• Game : venison fillet, glazed salsify, black-berry sauce to match the wine's character.
• Mushrooms : cep risotto, brown jus with a hint of cocoa, allowing a dialogue with tobacco and spice notes.
• Cheeses : cooked pressed cheeses, aged Comté or mature mimolette, for a silky and clear finish.

Moments de dégustation

Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2016 is the natural companion to carefully prepared tables and privileged moments. Its aromatic precision and tannic backbone make it a wine to share, both accessible in its youth after aeration and capable of gaining complexity with time. For a dinner staged as a sensory journey, to celebrate a life milestone, or to enrich a cellar in search of fine labels, it embodies a particular idea of the French art of living.

• A gastronomic dinner where the meat's texture and the depth of the jus respond to one another.
• A collector's cellar that values elegance and the consistency of great terroirs.
• A special gift for an informed enthusiast seeking characterful wines.

Caractéristiques

• Name : Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2016
• Appellation : Pauillac AOC
• Type : Red wine, second wine
• Vintage : 2016
• Grape varieties : Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 35%, Cabernet Franc 3%
• Region : Bordeaux, Médoc
• Nose : dark fruit, blackcurrant, graphite, tobacco, cocoa, spices
• Palate : dense material, elegant tannins, long and fresh finish
• Service : decanting recommended for young vintages
• Pairings : roasted meats, game, mushrooms, pressed cheeses