Château Petrus 2004
Review of the Estate
Chateau Petrus, one of the world`s rarest and most expensive wines. When the Moueix family bought a half share in the property in 1962 its true potential began to be fully realised. Chateau Petrus is now under the direction of Christian Moueix and oenologist, Jean Claude Berrouet.
Chateau Petrus has an 11.4 hectare vineyard located on a plateau on the highest part of Pomerol in the far east of the appellation. The topsoil and the subsoil at Chateau Petrus is almost all clay (in neigbouring properties the soil is a mixture of gravel-sand or clay-sand) and Merlot flourishes in this soil.Chateau Petrus vineyard is planted with 95% Merlot.
The vines are unusually old and are only replanted after they reach 70 years of age. The grapes at Chateau Petrus are hand harvested only in the afternoon, when the morning dew has evaporated, so as not to risk even the slightest dilution of quality. The grapes at Chateau Petrus are fermented in cement vats and the wine is aged in 100% new oak barrels for 22-28 months. Petrus is bottled unfiltered.
Chateau Petrus is extraordinarily rich, powerful and concentrated, often with characteristics of chocolates, truffles, Asian spices and ultra-ripe, creamy, black fruits. Chateau Petrus is usually approachable after a decade or so in bottle, but the wines from the very greatest years will continue improving for many more years.
Vineyard
Surface area: 28.2 acres
Grape Varieties: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Average age of vines: 35 years
Density of plantation: 6,500 vines per hectare
Average yields: 36 hectoliters per hectare
Average cases produced: 2,300 per year
Plateau of maturity: 10 - 30 years
Château Petrus 2004 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 92
The 2004 Petrus is a vintage that I had not tasted for a while and whilst it is an exemplary Pomerol, it does not rank within the top tier of wines from the iconic estate. Nevertheless, it has a wonderful, quite powerful bouquet with kirsch and crushed flowers, violets and truffle, perhaps even a seam of cinnamon in the background. The palate is gently moving into its secondary stage of evolution. The fruit is darker than the 2004 Cheval Blanc tasted (blind) alongside, fine structure, a little broody perhaps but with satisfying depth. Perhaps like the 2004 Haut-Brion, it ticks all the boxes but does not quite deliver the personality or the charm of other vintages and as such, it has never quite achieved the promise it showed from barrel. My comments are begrudging given the quality. But this is Petrus. Tasted September 2016.
Jancis Robinson
Point Score: 17+/20
Deep, bright crimson. Relatively light nose - almost timid. Neat concentration of fruit on the palate but no splendour. A little bit of iodine, some digestive biscuits. Only medium weight. Well corseted in terms of sandy tannins. Some notes in the background waiting to develop but this wine may be taking good manners just a stage too far. It will be many years before it grabs our attention, I think.Drink 2015-25
James Suckling
Point Score: 93
Offers crushed berries, with chocolate and light vanilla. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit, silky tannins and caressing texture. Very harmonious and pretty, with a balanced palate. Best after 2008.