| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
One of the stars of the vintage, the wine (100% Merlot) has exceptional concentration, stunning purity, an inky purple color and a broad, expansive mouthfeel. Not a bit heavy, cloying or overwrought, this is a stunning Petrus (licorice, blackcurrants and truffles dominate) that will probably hit full maturity in 8-10 years and last 25-35. Another great example of this mythical wine that few can afford, virtually no one drinks, but everyone talks about! Relatively high in alcohol at 14.5%, the crop was tiny because of the spring’s poor flowering in this sector of Pomerol. Drink: 2015 - 2050
Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Petrus demonstrated a forward, fruit-driven, ripe raspberry and wild strawberry bouquet underneath which lies graphite and forest floor aromas. It seems refined, understated, nonchalant even. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly savory opening, as if there was a tiny drop of Cabernet Franc. The tannins are fine but firm, the red fruit infused with cooked meat, black pepper and sage notes, although I was anticipating a finish armed with more body. That may well develop in time, yet it remains a regal Pomerol that will probably merit a higher score with bottle age, hence the plus-sign against the score. Tasted January 2016.
This is so minerally and rich with blueberries, spices, dark chocolate and dried flowers. Licorice and sandalwood, too. This shows such length and seamless, fine tannins, going on for a long, long time. Walnuts, chocolate and dark fruits. Better in 2017 but so fine now. The new 1971.
Ten years is not quite the sweet spot for Petrus, and it will benefit from a few more years softening in the bottle as there are layers of tannins to work through, but this is right up there as the wine of the tasting, it just jumps out of the glass. As ever with Petrus it's the texture that gets you; satin, velvet, silk, lace, all rolled up into one, with succulent black cherry and raspberry fruits given definition and depth by fennel, cocoa bean, graphite, crushed rock, jasmine and black tea. Muscular and yet fresh, it rises up through the palate and leaves you wanting more. 50% new oak, Oliver Berrouet winemaking director.
Inky core. Highly aromatic and beautifully spiced fruit. Both pure and complex on the nose. Aromatic on the palate with fine-grained but deep, welcoming tannins. Hint of smokiness, just so perfumed already. Lovely cassis, velvety and open but with the structure and harmony to age gracefully. Finishes dry and velvety too. Lacks the edge of youth. Almost too gentle at this stage in its life. (JH)
In a year of some excellent Pomerols, this wine is the pick of the appellation. 2012 was
naturally low yielding at Pétrus, with no recourse to green harvesting, according to Olivier
Berrouet. The resulting grapes had thicker skins than in 2011, so the château sought to
minimise extraction. This wine is riper and sweeter than the 2011, with a lovely bouquet
of violets and green herbs, subtle oak, plush tannins and a rich palate of cassis, plum and
chocolate. Harmonious, rich, supple, yet built to last, with deceptively forward fruit flavours.
Drink: 2020-50
There is a boatload of tannin in this intense purple-colored effort as well as a beautiful bouquet of mulberry jam, kirsch, licorice, truffles and toast. Seductive, full-bodied and opulent with abundant red and black fruit, it is a full-bodied, long, impressive Pomerol that should keep for 30+ years.
Merlot was one of the favored varietals in 2012, and Pomerol was undeniably the top appellation. One of only a handful of candidates for "wine of the vintage," the 2012 Petrus was fashioned from small yields due to a significant loss of the crop due to the poor flowering and resulting coulure as well as the lack of rain between mid-July and September 25. The harvest lasted for nearly two weeks (from September 24 to October 8). The natural alcohol in the 2012 ranks alongside that in the 2010 and 2009, 14.5%. The finished pH was 3.8.
Deep garnet in colour, the Petrus 2012 out of barrel has a more broody, but no less compelling bouquet compared to the 2011 last year that was more open. Here we find pure blackberry and raspberry fruit, a background of citrus fruit lending the aromatics freshness and a touch of cold stone. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp, structured, quite compact entry that bides its time in the glass. For sure this is a very tightly wound Petrus at this primordial stage, however there is good weight in the mouth and it arcs towards a saline finish that exudes breathtaking delineation and clarity. The 2012 feels like a more masculine Petrus stylistically similar to the 2008, but it will have more to offer after ten years in bottle. Tasted April 2013.
The shows fabulous length with a chocolate, berry and mineral undertone. Licorice and currants too. Full body yet refined with seamless tannins. Goes on for minutes. It shows such amazing length and elegance. Depth. Phenomenal structure here, especially for the vintage. Reminds me of the 1998 or 1971, which were structured yet very fine.
