The 2025 Petit Mouton shows a surprisingly serious depth and gravitas on the palate, especially for its position in the estate’s hierarchy. The wine opens with rich, dark blackberry, cassis, and plum, layered with subtle hints of spice and graphite. Despite its generosity, it maintains a composed structure, with well-integrated tannins and a bright, energetic acidity that keeps everything lifted and focused. This sense of structure is likely influenced by its sourcing: vineyards situated in the slight dip of land between the Mouton and Carruades plateau, where clay and silt-rich subsoils contribute more plushness and mid-palate density compared to the more gravel-dominant parcels reserved for the grand vin. The result is a wine that feels both serious and approachable: less about overt power, more about controlled depth and precision within a richly layered frame.

Always a vineyard selection, the 2025 Petit Mouton has a higher percentage of Merlot than in previous years. The supple Merlot-focused core is sweet-fruited fresh, and very silky. There’s ripeness and power aplenty, and the wine finishes with a refreshing note of acidity.