Petrus 1970 (750ML)

99 JS / 99 RP / 96 VM

I drank this last year with some wine collector friends ­you guessed it: in Hong Kong! It’s a very special bottle I’ve been lucky enough to have tried on a number of occasions, and it never disappoints. The nose shows olives, brown sugar and dark fruit. It’s full and joyous with round tannins and a flavorful finish. Truly sublime, and among the great vintages of this legendary estate such as 1947, 1990, or 1998. - James Suckling (June 2016)

This dark garnet-colored wine shows considerable amber at the edge. I have always had a tenency to taste this side by side with the 1971, and it has been fascinating how the 1971 was fully mature at a much younger age yet continued to hold onto life without losing any of its seductive fruit and intensity. The 1970 started off life more tannic, backward, massive, but needing considerable time, and it has now hit full stride. It is a profound Petrus, and certainly one of the great Petrus’ of the last half century. The wine has a huge nose of cedar, caramel, vanilla, tobacco, fruitcake, and licorice-infused black cherry jam. It is unctuously textured and very full-bodied, with extraordinary sweetness and glycerin, and a layered, viscous finish. This wine should continue to drink well for at least another 20 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2025. Last tasted, 11/02.

The 1970 Petrus can be a remarkable wine, although I have noticed some variability with age. One bottle was corked but fortunately a backup was found at the last moment. The aromatics press hard down onto the accelerator! The bouquet bursts from the glass with plenty of black dusky fruit, dried herbs such as thyme and sage, well defined if rustic compared to other vintages. The palate is voluminous and grippy, this example not quite as elegant as the one tasted in New York back in 2013. There is a melted quality about the 1970, something almost autumnal with notes of liquorish, black truffle and a hint of pain d’épices towards the finish that gently fans out. My inclination is that the 1975 Petrus has matured a little better than the 1970, although it remains a remarkably fine, sturdy and upstanding Pomerol, a wine with strong foundations. Well-stored bottles will give another decade of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Petrus dinner at the Épure restaurant in Hong Kong. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media (Sept 2018)