This is a tighter and more compact Petit Mouton with a full-bodied, compact palate that is framed nicely by the tannins. Savory and juicy. Structured. Contained. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Better than 2022?

Representing 39% of the production, the 2023 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild is based on 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Inky hued, this beauty has more than a touch of Grand Vin character in its cassis, currant, spicy oak, lead pencil and smoke-driven aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, round, lush, and nicely structured, it's one hell of a second wine. While it will offer pleasure in its youth, it’s going to have two decades of longevity as well.

Quite medicinal on the nose with a vibrant purple colour to the rim. Smells rich and ripe but cool and fresh too. Juicy and fun, this makes the mouth water and you want to smile straight away with hints of steely minerality, cool blueberries, crisp cranberries and sweet strawberries. Feels very calm, very accessible, stylish and confident. Harmonious and balanced and easy to enjoy with tannins that coat the mouth with silkiness yet still has amplitude on the palate. Great stuff, very delicious. 39% production. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Slate and grip, clear again here that this is not the most exuberant of vintages, it's classical with a serious backbone. That doesn't mean that Petit Mouton isn't out to make you happy, and you can expect plenty of black chocolate, damson, black cherry, signature cocoa bean, espresso and salted cracker, but the tannins are pretty fierce. Harvest September 7 to 30 (but 2/3 of grapes coming in after September 21), 39% of production.

The 2023 Le Petit-Mouton is fabulous. It could easy be a Grand Vin at another address. Rich ample and beautifully resonant in the glass the 2023 impresses with its notable palate presence. Dark red cherry pomegranate cinnamon rose petal and new leather are some of the many notes that build. The 2023 is seriously impressive. Wow! 2027-2043

Aromas of dark berries, cassis and cigar wrapper introduce the 2023 Le Petit Mouton, a medium-bodied, fleshy wine with good depth and density, its lively core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins, concluding with a penetrating finish. It's a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

The 2023 Le Petit-Mouton is aged in 50% new oak. It has an intense nose mainly black fruit commingling with briar and light estuarine scents. Perhaps the aromatics feel a bit "secretive" at present. The palate is medium-bodied with a concentrated entry. This is a voluminous and powerful Pauillac for the vintage driven by that 79% Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s a fine bitter edge on the finish; give this Le Petit Mouton three to five years in bottle.

Aromas of dark berries cassis and cigar wrapper introduce the 2023 Le Petit Mouton a medium-bodied fleshy wine with good depth and density its lively core of fruit framed by sweet powdery tannins concluding with a penetrating finish. It's a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon 12% Merlot 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Dark fruit with a smoky note. Appetising wine with plenty of tension but an intensity of fruit to match. Tannins plentiful but fine. Needs to fill out a little. (JL)