Pétrus 2011

A dense ruby/purple-tinged color and restrained but intriguing aromas of kirsch, raspberry jam, wood spice, and mulberries are found in this full-bodied Petrus. An undeniable success in 2011, it is rich, layered and pure with light to moderate tannin, but seems slightly less muscular and tannic compared to its stablemate, Trotanoy. Forget it for a few years and drink it over the following 25 years. Made from 100% Merlot, it tips the scales at 13.5% alcohol. In short, it is typically open-knit and already showing very well. This is quite opulent.

The 2011 Petrus has plenty of fruit on the nose, elegant and floral, redcurrant and raspberry fruit, a touch of crushed stone and pressed rose petal. The palate is medium-bodied with a rich and quite extravagant style of the finish, lightly spiced with a rounded, velvety-smooth and quite dense finish. Maybe it just conveys a little more winemaking that the terroir at the moment? Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. 2022 - 2040

This is tight and firm, with blueberry and blackberry character, and hints of sweet tobacco. Some wet earth, too. Black olives. Full body and very tight, with ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Powerful and muscular. Try after 2023.

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. Very limited availability (of course). About 30000 bottles will be produced as usual. A beautiful nose here that leaps out of the glass. Lovely purity and freshness. Not a heavyweight Petrus but a wine that is harmonious and elegant with a velvety mouthfeel and long, lingering red fruits. Olivier compares this to the 2001 vintage but with a little more structure. He describes 2011 "sensitive" and a wine that didn't need to be extracted but treated gently.

Black cherry, damsons, cassis show on the nose and give a lovely complexity on the palate. There is a supple fleshiness on the mid palate ripe rounded tannins that support but do not override the fruit sweetness. It feels lighter towards the back the freshness giving the finish an elegant charm.

Pétrus bucked the trend in Bordeaux this year, by producing slightly higher yields (37 hectolitres per hectare) than in 2010. In a difficult year, Olivier Berrouet says that he and his team "made the right decisions" and I agree. This is a lighter, more manicured Pétrus with polished tannins, fresh acidity and lots of incense and sweet oak on the nose. Understated and fine-boned with appealing grace and balance. 10+ years.

A Pétrus with poise and finesse. Certainly not a blockbuster although deceptive tannic frame under the silky texture. Fresh and energetic on the palate. Plenty of juicy fruit harvested at a perfect pitch.