Deep colour. Plum confit, vanilla aromas with a touch of herb garden. Inky textured wine with dark plum, mulberry, dark cherry fruits, fine looseknit slightly bitter tannins, attractive mid-palate richness, vanilla, grilled nut notes. Oaky tannin finish. Still elemental but all in balance. Tasted at Ch Mouton Rothschild.

94 points

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Solid, muscular nose. Almost a bitter streak on the end it's so firm! Lots of black fruits and real juiciness. Some lift and life. A very zesty wine with admirable length. But not heavy on the flesh!

17/20 points

The 2016 Le Petit Mouton is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc; it will be matured in 45% new oak, a little lower than in previous year (it used to be 60%). It has around 13.3% alcohol. It has a clean and precise bouquet with black berry, pencil shavings, crushed violet and a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and ripe tannin, very harmonious and blessed with a satin-like texture. It is a more understated Le Petit Mouton, but you almost miss the precision and detail, the mineralité on the linear finish. This has great potential thanks to the sheer quality of the tannins here.

92-94 points

The 2016 Le Petit-Mouton is exceptional. In another era in Bordeaux's history, it could undoubtedly have been a Grand Vin -- it is every bit that outstanding. The volume, depth and density here are truly remarkable. Sweet spice and floral notes develop on the finish, but it is the wine's sense of balance and poise that is most remarkable. Le Petit-Mouton is also without question one of the two or three best second wines of the vintage. Don't miss it.

91-94 points

"The 2016 Le Petit-Mouton has a classic blackberry, graphite and smoke bouquet that perhaps feels a little stricter than it did out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very pure black fruit and a precise, quite minerally finish that is pure class. This might be the best Le Petit Mouton since it debuted in 1993. 2022-2040"

93 Points, Vinous 

"Deep and dark berry aromas with a center of cedar and tobacco. Full-bodied, tannic and rich with a solid backbone and excellent structure. Plenty of fruit and flavor. It goes on for minutes. One hell of a second wine for Mouton. Try after 2025."

95 Points, JamesSuckling.com