Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 2016 (Second wine of Château Mouton Rothschild)

Producer history

Château Mouton Rothschild was bought at auction by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild in 1853, when it was still known as Château Brane-Mouton, and is one of Pauillac's most storied estates, classified a Second Growth in 1855 and elevated to First Growth in 1973 after a long campaign by Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The estate is also known for commissioning a different artist to illustrate each vintage's label. A second wine first appeared in 1993 as 'Le Second Vin de Mouton Rothschild,' renamed 'Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild' from 1994; the name refers to Baroness Philippine's residence in the heart of the estate.

Signature pairings

• Grilled beef short rib with black pepper (เนื้อย่างพริกไทยดำ) — Cabernet-led tannin needs protein and fat to soften against; the char echoes the wine's graphite and spice notes without competing with its fruit.
• Roast duck breast with plum sauce — The 35% Merlot in the blend gives enough plush mid-palate to meet dark fruit in the sauce, while the wine's freshness cuts the richness of the duck fat.
• Aged hard cheese with walnuts — Salt and nuttiness flatter the cocoa-bean and cedar register, and the cheese's fat rounds the crisp tannins described by the estate.