Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Petrus opens a little broody, with gentle crushed rocks, cast iron pan and fragrant earth notions giving way to a core plum preserves, baked blueberries, licorice and Black Forest cake plus wafts of pencil shavings, garrigue and violets. Full-bodied, the palate is beautifully poised with a firm line of exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness bolstering the generous fruit, finishing very long and very, very classy. Collectors fortunate enough to have a few bottles of this vintage are advised to be patient and allow it a further 7-10 years to loosen-up and emerge gloriously from this rock-solid structure. 2027-2070
The harvest at Petrus took place between September 27 and October 12, and the 2010 finished at 14.1% natural alcohol, which is slightly lower than the 2009's 14.5%. The 2010 reminds me somewhat of the pre-1975 vintages of Petrus, a monster-in-the-making, with loads of mulberry, coffee, licorice and black cherry notes with an overlay of enormous amounts of glycerin and depth. Stunningly rich, full-bodied and more tannic and classic than the 2009, this is an awesome Petrus, but probably needs to be forgotten for 8-10 years. It should last at least another 50 or more.
Someone told me recently that Petrus had a second wine, so I asked Olivier Berrouet, their young, talented administrator, whether that was true, and he flatly denied it, so if any Asian wine buyers are running across second wines of Petrus in Hong Kong or on mainland China, be warned - they are not genuine. Proprietor Jean Moueix, who I believe is in his late twenties, has taken over for his father, Jean-Francois, who has largely retired, and the younger Moueix has really pushed quality even higher at this renowned estate. Anyone visiting Pomerol would have undoubtedly noticed the renovations at Petrus, as it was once one of the most modest and humble buildings in the appellation. Moreover, I suspect that multi-millionaire/billionaire collectors will have about 50 years to debate over which vintage of Petrus turns out better, the 2009 or 2010. In a perfect world, most people would love to have a few bottles of each, or at least the opportunity to taste them once in a while, as they have become more of a myth than something real, but these wines do, in fact, exist!
The 2010 Petrus has an extraordinary bouquet, ineffably complex with brambly red fruit, sous-bois, dried blood and wild mint aromas that unfurl magically from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and generous, yet amazingly controlled with such tension and grace on the silky smooth finish. This is a fantastic Petrus, one of the greatest in recent years. Drink: 2025-2060
This a Petrus with extraordinary balance and depth. It shows such elegance in the nose with complexity of black olives, dark fruits, and flowers. The palate is full and ultra-velvety yet there is a cashmere quality to the texture. It takes your breath away. There's almost a Burgundian quality in the mouthfeel meaning it takes you deep into the soil and captivates your attention. Greatest modern vintage of Petrus ever? Try after 2018.
Very lustrous dark crimson. Intense meaty, tarry nose. Much fleshier than Le Pin. Sweet and spicy on top, savoury and rather well constructed underneath. This should have a particularly long drinking window. Not especially opulent for Petrus. 14.5%
Drink 2018 – 2048
A wine that needs no introduction from us. Possibly the most famous wine on Planet Earth. Olivier Berrouet has been in charge here since January 2008 after 4 years at Cheval Blanc. His father (who was winemaker at Petrus for 4 decades) and Christian Moueix are consultants. 100% Merlot on clay soil at the heart of the plateau of Pomerol. Quite a closed nose but hints of tar and woodsmoke come through. Dark chocolate and a huge intensity of black fruit. Massive, mouth-coating and packed with glycerol and alcohol, huge . Super-ripe succulent tannins. Lovely layered Merlot fleshiness with creamy new wood in the background. Brilliant and classic, a Petrus for the long term. Very limited availability (of course).
There is a lot of sweet fruit on the nose rich ripe black plum. On the palate there are lots of powerful flavours rich ripe voluptuous in the middle and power towards the back. Ripe tannins help the fleshiness but all of this power is balanced by some fresher red fruits.
A distinguished wine. Precise, honest without surfeit. A natural expression of the cru. Affirmed structure and length but tannins suave and refined. Lovely fruit expression. Harmonious. Compelling now but long ageing. More 'classical' than '09. Drink 2022-2060.
One of the most concentrated and massive Petrus offerings I have ever tasted, yields in 2010 were 35 hectoliters per hectare and the grapes were harvested between September 27 and October 2. The wine achieved 14.5% natural alcohol versus the 14.4% that was attained in 2009. Petrus has reduced its use of new oak over the last decade, now averaging under 50%. The 2010's dense purple color is followed by classic aromas of mulberries, black cherries, black currants, licorice, mocha, caramel and truffles. Full-bodied, multi-dimensional and impressively pure with high but sweet, well-integrated tannins, this 2010 should drink well for 30+ years.
The Petrus 2010 is a force of nature. It has a voluptuous bouquet with ripe black cherries, crème de cassis, blueberry and peach jam. It has crystalline delineation - modern yet sophisticated. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet ripe entry, rounded and velvety smooth tannins, perfectly judged acidity, harmonious with a long powerful aftertaste. It is more approachable than a year ago, bridled with a sense of completeness. Mesmeric. Tasted January 2014.
The Petrus 2010 is initially reticent on the nose - a serious Pomerol from the off. The first noticeable thing is that this is not a powerful bouquet like the 2009, much more linear and delineated with real minerality (which actually reminds me of L'Eglise-Clinet.) The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins. There is real intensity here, a Petrus with a sense of purpose: blackberry, touches of graphite borrowed from Pauillac, a little spice. It offers a silky smooth texture but remains linear right to the finish with subtle notes of bilberry, blackberry and crushed stone. Masculine and a little aloof, especially compared with the 2009, but utterly compelling, this Petrus will need at least 8-10 years in bottle. Tasted November 2012.
Tasted at the chateau, leaving the sample to open over five minutes, the nose unfurls enticingly in the glass. The bouquet displays extraordinary concentration with dark berries, boysenberry, crushed stone and a touch of crushed violet. Sumptuous like the 2009 but with a touch more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied but incredibly powerful, a maelstrom of flavours: dark cherries, briary, candied orange peel, a hint of spice but what is ethereal is the precision and clarity on the finish is stunning and defines the 2010 in its youth. Very sensual, very complete, very Petrus. Tasted April 2011.
This is extraordinary. It is just like 1989 (100 points for me) but it is even more refined and defined. It's so deep and compelling. I put my nose in the glass and I knew it was perfection. Full, yet super refined. So so long. It just builds and builds with flavor, like a tiny light in the sky that becomes a falling star. It is phenomenal. The analytical figures for the wine are off the charts with 15 percent more tannin than 2009, a pH of 3.5, and 14.5% alcohol.
100% Merlot. Very deep crimson indeed. Right out to the rim. Hugely intense and succulent. Really muscular and concentrated. Very firm indeed. Good richness to begin with. Lightly bitter on the end. Wonderful texture. Creamy, with real minerals and lushness on the nose. Great vivacity.