Vinous: 95-98 points

The 2016 La Fleur-Pétrus is all finesse. A wine of translucence and nuance, it is utterly captivating from the very first taste. Blood orange, chalk and white pepper overtones give the wine lift and tension that drive through to the finish. I imagine the 2016 will need a few years to enter its prime drinking window, but it is an absolute stunner today. The Cabernet Franc is especially expressive. The vintage was not without its challenges; some of the younger-vine Merlot succumbed to heat stress and was not used in the final blend. As a result, yields in finished wine are down about 20 percent.

Review date: April 2017

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 97 points

Blended of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 la Fleur-Petrus reveals stunning Black Forest cake, redcurrant jelly and wilted roses scents with underlying suggestions of pencil shavings, yeast extract, dark chocolate and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the mid-palate possesses superb intensity and depth with layers of perfumed black fruits and loads of red fruit sparks framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note.

Review date: November 2018