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Pétrus 2008

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

It is hard to call Petrus a "sleeper of the vintage," but the 2008 will merit more attention than most consumers would think. Low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare resulted in only 25,000 bottles of this beauty. A wine of great intensity (possibly the most concentrated wine of the vintage), this 100% Merlot boasts a dark purple color as well as a sweet perfume of mocha, caramel, black cherries, black currants, earth and forest floor. Deep, unctuously textured, full-bodied and pure, it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and should drink well for 25-30+ years.

97
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

There's lots of rose in this wine, with hints of dark chocolate and berries. Full and powerful, with chewy tannins and a long finish. A big, juicy wine. Very impressive for the vintage

91/94
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2009

Deep crimson. Not the freshest sample on the nose. Lots of power and wildness - really does taste as though it springs from the earth to heal sore throats everywhere. But it's a less civilised, less tamed expression than the Trotanoy tasted alongside. Very complex with a dry rather than sweet finish. Extremely complex rather than an easy charmer. Quite burly. A J P Moueix wine.

18+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2009

The 2008 is destined to be one of the greatest Petrus's ever made, ranking alongside the 1989, 1990, 1998, and 2000, and even eclipsing the 2005. An inky/red/purple color accompanies an unevolved, but promising nose of sweet red and black fruits intermixed with hints of earth, spice box, and caramel. It possesses a formidable personality of great intensity, awesome texture, amazingly well-integrated sweet tannin, and a freshness and precision that are hallmarks of this vintage. Given the tiny production, there will not be much of this sensational wine. Like most recent Petrus vintages, a decade of patience will be required despite the sweetness of the tannin. It should evolve for at least 50 years.Like the other top Moueix Pomerol properties, especially such top terroirs as Trotanoy, La Fleur Petrus, Hosanna, and La Providence, yields at Petrus were 28 hectoliters per hectare. This vineyard was harvested much like the proprietors of Yquem pick grapes, waiting for perfect maturity and selecting grape bunches as opposed to sending a team in and harvesting until the entire vineyard is picked. Petrus was harvested on six different days, September 29, October 1, 4, 7, 10, and 12.

98/100
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (182), April 2009

This has a very feminine nose that wafts from the glass: certainly more expressive than usual at this stage, pure dark cherries, raspberry, blueberry and violets. The palate is full-bodied, very powerful and generous with layers of dark fruits, awesome definition and focus. This is a Petrus that undoubtedly lives up to the billing. This Pétrus is extraordinarily minerally on the finish with an aftertaste that just will not go away. Tasted April 2009

96/98
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2009
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.