Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2009
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2009, Nature was particularly kind in 2009, providing conditions that favored the vegetation cycle and helped the grapes to reach full maturity. Winter was a little colder than usual, though in the period to March the region had 204 hours of sunshine more than the average for the last thirty years. April was very wet and May often stormy. Flowering took place rapidly and evenly around 5 June.
Summer set in from mid-June, bringing remarkable levels of sunshine and little rainfall. The very fine weather and high level of hydric stress, barely alleviated by a few showers, enabled the grapes to ripen slowly to full maturity. Temperatures in August were 1.4° C higher than the average. The ideal weather continued into September as cool nights alternated with hot days. The weather, encouraging the concentration of aromas and flavors and the accumulation of anthocyans, brought the crop to harvest in perfect condition. Picking began with the Merlot on 23 September and ended with the Cabernet Sauvignon on 6 October. The grapes were extremely healthy, containing plenty of sugar, colour and fruit and showing exceptional potential. 2009 will undoubtedly go down as a vintage to match the finest.
It is an attractive, deep and dense red with a crimson tint. Perfectly ripe fruit can be perceived on the highly refined nose. This Petit Mouton releases an array of black fruit aromas reminiscent of blackberry and black cherry set off by subtle notes of spice and vanilla. The attack carries its weight with elegant precision, the well-built texture offering well-rounded and powerful tannins. The initial fruit extends into a lovely, long and structured finish. Petit Mouton stands out for its consummate elegance and remarkable harmony.
Chateau Mouton Rothschild is located in the commune of Pauillac, in the Medoc, 30 miles (50km) northwest of the city of Bordeaux. The grand vin is among the most highly rated and priced wines in the world, and is generally regarded as the most exuberant and powerful of all Bordeaux. It was famously added to the First Growths set out in the 1855 Classification in 1973.
