Chateau Mouton Rothschild - Le Petit Mouton 2019

JAMES SUCKLING: "A luscious red with redcurrant, chocolate, plum and hazelnut. Rather opulent on the nose. Full-bodied and very structured with chewy tannins that are intense and powerful. This needs time to come together and soften. 68% cabernet sauvignon and 32% merlot. Better after 2027."

WEINWISSER: "68 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 32 % Merlot. Sattes Purpurviolett. Betörendes Bouquet mit dunklen Kirschen, Cassiswürze, getrockneter Rosmarin, dunkle Trüffelschokolade. Am eleganten Gaumen mit herrlich seidiger Textur und stützendem Tanningerüst, schöne Liaison aus fein mehligem Extrakt und stützender Rasse. Im gebündelten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, Brasiltabak und edle Adstringenz. Erinnert Philippe an den 2010er. Ein grosser Petit Mouton!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2019 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild is one heck of a second wine and has a rare level of depth and density. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, it reveals a dense ruby/purple hue to go with textbook Pauillac notes of cedar pencil, smoke tobacco, spice box, blackcurrants, and graphite. Deep, rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully balanced, it's probably better than many vintages of the Grand Vin. I absolutely love its purity of fruit, balance, and structure. It needs a healthy decant if drinking any time soon and will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age, but it will have over two decades of longevity. Just don't tell yourself it's a second wine and you'll think you're drinking the Grand Vin."

DECANTER: "A very moreish Petit Mouton with plump fruit and clear coffee and mocha beans - a signature of this wine and people who love its unashamed glamour will adore this vintage. It has welcome astringent tannins on the finish and overall this is delicious. There are not many 2nd wines that can truly stand on their own but this is very much one of them. Harvest September 18 to October 5."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This is so good, it is difficult to believe, that it is only a second wine. Texturally, the wine is rich, plush, polished elegant and fresh. You find layers of blackberry, currants and cassis paired with wet earth, flowers and tobacco leaf with a cool hint of spice on the nose and palate. The finish steals the show with its layers of ripe, sweet, lusciously textured black and red fruits. The wine can be enjoyed in its youth, but patience will be rewarded with all of its yet to come secondary nuances. Drink from 2025-2042."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A big, ripe wine, the second wine of Mouton Rothschild is vastly improved. With its tannins developing well its black fruits are showing great richness. The wine has power while also having a juicy background. Drink from 2026."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feines Karamell, zarte Röstaromen, ein Hauch von Erdbeerkonfitüre, einladendes Bukett, zart nach Kirschen und frischen Orangenzesten. Saftig, rund und lebendig, frischer Säurebogen, reife, gut integrierte Tannine, bereits sehr gut entwickelt und antrinkbar, mittlere Länge, ein vielseitiger Speisenbegleiter."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2019 Le Petit Mouton is notably serious this year, offering up a rich bouquet of minty berries, cherries, licorice and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a generous core of fruit, youthfully chewy tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will reward a bit of bottle age."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Youthful crimson. Warm, rich, complex nose. Really intense fruit masking lots of tannin and a bit of acidity on the end. Classic 2019. Long."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Delivers a juicy core of lightly steeped black currant plum fruit that has a delightfully succulent edge, while hints of dark tobacco, warm earth and iron gently underline the perfumed finish. Approachable now, too. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2033."