Petrus 2019 (1.5L)

100 JD / 100 WI / 98 VM / 98 JA / 98 DE / 97 WS / 18+ JR

The 2019 Château Pétrus is a behemoth, and I can't imagine a better marriage of sexy, opulent fruit with purity, precision, and length. Always all Merlot from a single parcel of clay soils, it takes time to unwind in the glass (I followed this bottle for multiple days) and offers a powerful, primordial style in its black cherries, mulberries, smoked tobacco, damp earth, and chocolate, as well as a beautiful floral component that emerges with air. Dense, concentrated, and incredibly rich on the palate, it has a multi-dimensional mouthfeel and sweet yet substantial tannins. Despite plenty of glycerin and opulence on the palate, which certainly makes it fun to taste today, it has a very straight, classic feel that will demand bottle age. It probably needs to be forgotten for 8-10 years and will deliver the goods over the following 50 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Petrus charges out of the gate with rambunctious plum preserves, fruitcake, and blueberry compote notes, leading to suggestions of Chinese five spice, iron ore, and licorice. The full, rich, densely laden palate is textured with firm, fantastically plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and decadence.-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

Olivier Berrouet turned out a fabulous Petrus in 2019. A gorgeous, expansive wine, the 2019 opens beautifully over time. There is a feeling of radiance in the 2019 that is impossible to miss. Hints of rose petal, lavender, mint and cinnamon meld effortlessly into a core of red/purplish fruit. At 14.8%, the alcohol is high, but not intrusive. "We worked very hard to extract as gently as possible," Berrouet explained. Readers lucky enough to own the 2019 should plan on cellaring it for a decade or more. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

A dense, structured Petrus that is full of naturally fleshy but concentrated blueberry, blackberry, cassis and loganberry fruits that feel both fully ripe and fully subdued and closed-in on themselves right now. As ever with Petrus, you have to be patient, as everything just slows down and takes its time. The tannins are juicy, with great aromatic persistency, allowing touches of smoked caramel, black truffle, black chocolate and pencil lead through as it opens. As it uncurls things turn spicier and more profound, with edges of mint leaf, fennel, aniseed and eucalyptus. This is a wine with so much to say, and it is in no hurry to go anywhere. 50% new oak. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

A seductive and sensual nose full of ripe and sweetly-perfumed cherry and blackcurrant notes - which are even more expressive and abundant after an hour in the glass. This is such a beguiling wine, changing in texture and fruit profile several times from a first sip of smooth and streamlined, chalky tannins to one filled with bright acidity and succulent juiciness then shifting another gear delivering a palate full of concentrated dark fruits edged with liquorice and black pepper. The tannins are abundant and clearly present, Olivier Berrout director of Petrus says he’s never produced a vintage with such high tannins, but they are wonderfully consistent and well integrated with a lovely powdery element to them. You really feel the structure develop in the mouth, building in complexity and layers with a beautiful perfume and wet stone minerality lingering on the long finish. You have to wait for the reticence and reservation of Petrus in its youth to subside before you see the power and energy here but it’s giving a tantalising glimpse of what its long life holds in store. Drinking Window 2030 - 2055 - GH, Decanter

Gorgeous, offering a pure, concentrated beam of raspberry and boysenberry puree that drives through, with mouthwatering anise, black tea and apple wood accents and a perfectly embedded graphite spine. Features fruit that just won't quit, picking up extra energy from a savory thread as it moves through. Best from 2025 through 2040. — JM, Wine Spectator

100% Merlot. Barrel sample.
Massive wine in terms of structure and density of fruit but the aromatic freshness pulls it all into line. Fragrant, almost upfront, red-berry aromas. Burgundian nuance again. Sweet Merlot character but not overdone and certainly no thickness to the wine. Smooth, caressing texture, the tannic mass refined and almost hidden although the power can be sensed behind. A fresh chalky edge complements the fruit and adds to the persistence providing a harmonious whole. Clearly needs time to unfurl. - James Lawther MW, Jancis Robinson .com