Petrus
About Pétrus
Pétrus is one of the world’s most collectable wines. We would argue that it is Bordeaux’s most prestigious wine. The vineyard of Pétrus covers just 11.4 hectares (28 acres) and is situated on the plateau on the eastern side of Pomerol on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. The vineyard sits at the top of a 20-hectare (49-acre) hillock (called the Pétrus boutonnière). It has topsoil and subsoil high in iron-rich clay – distinctly different from surrounding vineyards. This terroir gives Pétrus a unique power and aging potential.
The uniqueness of Pétrus is also partially the result of its very old vines (average age exceeding 45 years). Pétrus was also one of the first in Bordeaux to implement green-harvesting (éclaircissage) to lower yields and increase the concentration and power of the wine. Grapes are hand-harvested over two to three days, although the vineyard's small size permits harvesting to be completed in one day if necessary. This means that all grapes are picked at the optimal time. A stringent pre-assemblage vat selection is carried out and certain parcels are rejected as not worthy of the Grand Vin. The young wine is aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 12 to 16 months. An average year might yield at most 30,000 bottles.
Pétrus is a collectors’ and critics’ darling, feted by all who have the money or access to be able to sample this most powerful and unique wine. Robert Parker has awarded Pétrus no less than 8 perfect 100-point scores!
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 91 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. GST
SG$3,115.85 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)Winemaker and Pomerol deity Jean-Claude Berrouet has often told me how he considers the 1975 Pétrus as his first success, the preceding vintages more trial and error. (Those who have savored the 1964, 1966, 1970 and 1971 might beg to differ.) Yet the quality of this 1973 was undeniable. I had encountered it once before, a bottle opened for my brother to celebrate his birth-year over a decade ago when such off-vintages, eschewed by all but the reckless, were affordable. But I could not remember it being this fine. “You should not under-estimate the Pomerols in 1973,” Lord Bruce advised. Who am I to argue in such vinous presence? Whether a horizontal of 1973 Pomerol wines will serve the Vinous readership is another question. The salient lesson from this bottle was to never ever dismiss a bottle by dint of birth-year. Humans and wine alike cannot determine the year they are born. It is more a question of having to search harder in some years than others. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 91 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
SG$2,850.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)Winemaker and Pomerol deity Jean-Claude Berrouet has often told me how he considers the 1975 Pétrus as his first success, the preceding vintages more trial and error. (Those who have savored the 1964, 1966, 1970 and 1971 might beg to differ.) Yet the quality of this 1973 was undeniable. I had encountered it once before, a bottle opened for my brother to celebrate his birth-year over a decade ago when such off-vintages, eschewed by all but the reckless, were affordable. But I could not remember it being this fine. “You should not under-estimate the Pomerols in 1973,” Lord Bruce advised. Who am I to argue in such vinous presence? Whether a horizontal of 1973 Pomerol wines will serve the Vinous readership is another question. The salient lesson from this bottle was to never ever dismiss a bottle by dint of birth-year. Humans and wine alike cannot determine the year they are born. It is more a question of having to search harder in some years than others. |