Petrus is undoubtedly the most renowned wine of Pomerol and one of the most prestigious estates in Bordeaux. This Merlot-based wine comes from an 11.4-hectare vineyard located east of the Pomerol appellation. It is known for its richness and power, with aromas of chocolate, spice, and dark fruit. Petrus is one of the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world.
The first traces of Petrus date back to 1837, but the estate gained international renown more recently, when the Moueix family acquired half of it in 1962. Since then, it has become a staple in cellars and at auctions, and regularly achieves prices higher than those of many Bordeaux Premier Cru Classé wines.
Vineyards
The original vineyard, covering 7 hectares, is situated on a hillock where the soil is almost entirely clay, unlike the neighboring properties whose soil is more gravelly or sandy. The high clay content is particularly well-suited to Merlot: a unique second layer of dense blue clay forces the roots to spread laterally. This characteristic is often considered the source of Petrus's supple and abundant tannins. The remainder of the vineyard was acquired from the neighboring Château Gazin in 1969.
Winemaking
The grapes are carefully hand-harvested, berry by berry, in the afternoon, after the morning dew has evaporated to avoid any dilution. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats, which are meticulously inspected before blending.
The use of oak has evolved over the years: in the 1980s, Petrus used exclusively new oak barrels, but today, the proportion of new barrels is around 50%. After 18 to 20 months of aging in barrels, the wine is bottled without filtration.
PETRUS, POMEROL, 2020
As I pointed out to Olivier Berrouet, it's hardly original to see a wine critic praising this benchmark Pomerol; and yet, whether one appreciates it or not, it's undeniable that the 2020 Petrus is a brilliant success and, without question, one of the finest vintages produced at this estate in the last twenty years. Opening with a profound bouquet of black fruits, cherries, and blackcurrants, mingled with notes of exotic spices, violet, and vine smoke, this wine is ample, complex, and concentrated, with great depth, exquisitely fine tannins, and a reserved, even subtle, youthful profile, despite its power and breadth. This serious Petrus, with its classic proportions, is a monument in the making.
100/100 - William Kelley, WINE ADVOCATE
