Château Petrus 2008
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 2008 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 97
It is hard to call Petrus a "sleeper of the vintage," but the 2008 will merit more attention than most consumers would think. Low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare resulted in only 25,000 bottles of this beauty. A wine of great intensity (possibly the most concentrated wine of the vintage), this 100% Merlot boasts a dark purple color as well as a sweet perfume of mocha, caramel, black cherries, black currants, earth and forest floor. Deep, unctuously textured, full-bodied and pure, it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and should drink well for 25-30+ years.
Jancis Robinson
Point Score: 18+/20
Deep crimson. Not the freshest sample on the nose. Lots of power and wildness - really does taste as though it springs from the earth to heal sore throats everywhere. But it's a less civilised, less tamed expression than the Trotanoy tasted alongside. Very complex with a dry rather than sweet finish. Extremely complex rather than an easy charmer. Quite burly. A J P Moueix wine.
James Suckling
Point Score: 91-94
There's lots of rose in this wine, with hints of dark chocolate and berries. Full and powerful, with chewy tannins and a long finish. A big, juicy wine. Very impressive for the vintage