Petit Mouton 2018 has been released at €168 per bottle ex-negociant, up 16.7% on the release price of the 2017 (€144). It is being offered by the international trade at £2,124 (US$2,820/ HK$21,120) per 12×75, an increase of 18.8% on the 2017 release of £1,788 per case in sterling terms.
According to James Suckling (97-98), “this is phenomenal with such dense and layered tannins that go on for minutes”. In his tasting note, the critic posed the question: “Maybe it should have gone into the first wine?”
Both Antonio Galloni (Vinous) and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Advocate), however, awarded today’s release lower barrel ranges. Galloni, who scored it 90-93, commented that “the 2018 Le Petit-Mouton is unusual in that it contains a high (40%) amount of Merlot”. He also disclosed that “yields were about 28 hectoliters per hectare as opposed to 34-37”.
For Perrotti-Brown, who gave it 92-94+ points, the wine is “full-bodied, rich and oh-so-hedonic […] with loads of fragrant spice layers on the very long finish.”
The new release is coming to the market at a price level similar to previous physical vintages. When it comes to alternative options, buyers might wish to consider the 2016 (NM 93) or the 2010 (RP 91), available at only a small premium.
Looking for more?
Our Bordeaux 2018 pages contain everything you need to know about this year’s En Primeur campaign, including:
- Critic scores
- Release prices
- Bordeaux 2018 analysis tool [members only]
- The conversation on social media
- Liv-ex’s fair value methodology
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