| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2014 Petrus has a bouquet that storms from the glass with exotic red cherries, blood orange, strawberry tart and cedar scents, only calming down after several minutes. Rich and opulent – although they are not facets of a truly great Petrus to me. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of candied red fruit, fine structure, a 2014 that is letting it all hang out so soon after bottling, which causes me some concern in terms of what it has left in reserve for long-term ageing and evolution. It just does not deliver a knockout blow on the slightly brittle finish, completing a very good Pomerol but in my opinion, it is not the greatest Petrus in recent years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2020 - 2040
A wine evincing true enlightenment. It’s floral on the nose and also shows blackberries, stones, minerals and cedar. Full-bodied, yet its so fine-grained and tight. So, so long. It builds like a waterfall on the finish. The tannins are powerful yet superbly integrated and harmonious. Needs four to five years in bottle. Drink in 2023.
Tasted blind. Relatively light nose. Very sweet start and for the moment a bit simple although there is masses of alcohol and acidity. Very polished tannins with a saline finish.
Drink 2025-2042
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) remains a consultant. 100% Merlot on clay soil at the heart of the plateau of Pomerol. Deep ruby. Very floral, aromatic, and bright nose, with crunchy red plums and cherries layered with a little spice and wood smoke from new oak. Silky smooth entry and very refined tannins give this wine excellent texture, with juicy blueberries, red cherries and plums. This wine is precise and focused rather than being a powerhouse, but has a long and fresh finish that is floral with violets and spring flowers. There is a sweet vanilla note from new oak and a cool ripeness to this wine that gives it a lifted flavour profile. Precise and poised with no hard edges.
This has lush, fleshy layers of blackberry, fig and black currant confiture rumbling through, pushed by notes of charcoal and warm tobacco leaf. Ganache hints fill in on the finish. Bass-driven, with a serious knot of tannins that have yet to stretch out, but the core of fruit is way too serious to doubt. Best from 2020 through 2035. 2,500 cases made.
The nose has a fragrant fresh charm but behind it there is richness depth of fruit. The palate has the richness the sweetness of ripe black plum the well handled tannins giving mid suppleness the sweet fruit filling out the back palate. There is enough freshness to balance to give a lighter feel and an elegant charm to the finish. 2022-40
"A terroir vintage" is how Olivier Berrouet describes 2014, referring to the fact that Pétrus coped well with the conditions during the growing season. The result is floral, silky and aromatic with finesse and palate length and more structure than is immediately apparent. It doesn't show its 14.5% alcohol.
The 2014 Petrus was tasted on the same morning as the 2014 Vieux-Château-Certan and though they are built from different blends, their personalities are quite similar. This is a succinct, not powerful, much more refined and discrete bouquet, gradually unfurling and revealing a subtle sea spray/marine element. The palate is again quite discrete at first and unfolds at a glacial pace. It is beautifully balanced with fine tannin, quite linear and structured, gently building towards a finish that has wonderful salinity (continuing that marine theme). Note: I actually returned to taste this several hours later, because it was so closed earlier on and it did finally open, which is atypical for this Pomerol. It is a wonderful Petrus, but one that will deserve bottle age and decanting. Drink date 2020 - 2035
The Petrus 2014 was picked from 23 September until 4 October. Delivering 14.5% alcohol, the same as 2009 and 2010, which is being aged in 50% new oak and includes 3% vin de presse, is deceptively uncomplicated on the nose at first, but don't be fooled. Affording it time to open (whilst videoing Olivier Berrouet) it develops very attractive blackberry, briary, violets and incense aromas that are beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannins. The acidity is very well judged with lightly grippy black fruit, a pleasant salinity surfacing towards the licorice and tar-tinged finish that fans out gradually. It does not have the length of a top tier vintage but as you would expect there is real class here. Perhaps it will be more approachable than other vintages thanks to the fineness of the tannins, but overall, this is a great wine under the guiding hand of Olivier Berrouet even if it is not the greatest Petrus he will ever make. Drink: 2018 - 2040
There's a density and refinement to the 2014 Petrus with a dark chocolate, walnut and blueberry character. Violet. The length is beautiful with such density and intensity. The tannins arrive at the end. The wine is 14.3% alcohol. They cut back the crop and what they were left with was ripe and clean grapes. This has more texture. Fine and toned tannins. This takes off. Marvelous potential for the vintage.
In 2013 the yield was 23 hl/ha, and in 2014 it was 30 hl/ha.
Mid ruby. Quite a pale rim - absolutely not a dense dark look! Mix of savoury and floral notes. Not exceptionally intense aromatically but very beautiful texture and an intensity of flavour that really builds on the finish. Real burgundian build! Very refined tannins and strong mineral notes on the end. Really quite distinctive. Broad and peacock's tail. Unlike any other wine in 2014. Juicy and sweet on the end. Long and neat. Aérien. 14.5%
Drink 2022-2040
