| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Petrus charges out of the gate with rambunctious plum preserves, fruitcake, and blueberry compote notes, leading to suggestions of Chinese five spice, iron ore, and licorice. The full, rich, densely laden palate is textured with firm, fantastically plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and decadence.
The 2019 Château Pétrus is a behemoth, and I can't imagine a better marriage of sexy, opulent fruit with purity, precision, and length. Always all Merlot from a single parcel of clay soils, it takes time to unwind in the glass (I followed this bottle for multiple days) and offers a powerful, primordial style in its black cherries, mulberries, smoked tobacco, damp earth, and chocolate, as well as a beautiful floral component that emerges with air. Dense, concentrated, and incredibly rich on the palate, it has a multi-dimensional mouthfeel and sweet yet substantial tannins. Despite plenty of glycerin and opulence on the palate, which certainly makes it fun to taste today, it has a very straight, classic feel that will demand bottle age. It probably needs to be forgotten for 8-10 years and will deliver the goods over the following 50 years or more.
The 2019 Pétrus is a powerful, heady wine, bursting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, cassis, violets, spices, licorice and kirsch. Full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with an ample core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the liqueured finish, it's a ripe, high-octane Petrus that reflects the influence of a dry, warm growing season on what is essentially a single cépage (Merlot) and a single soil type (clay). Drink Date 2029 - 2059
The 2019 Pétrus is relatively flamboyant on the nose with gregarious black cherries, raspberry coulis scents mixed with autumn bonfire and fireside hearth. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, well balanced, quite fresh with a poised and delineated finish. I adore the pepperiness that lingers in the mouth, a multifaceted Pomerol with a long life ahead. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2027-2060.
A dense, structured Petrus that is full of naturally fleshy but concentrated blueberry, blackberry, cassis and loganberry fruits that feel both fully ripe and fully subdued and closed-in on themselves right now. As ever with Petrus, you have to be patient, as everything just slows down and takes its time. The tannins are juicy, with great aromatic persistency, allowing touches of smoked caramel, black truffle, black chocolate and pencil lead through as it opens. As it uncurls things turn spicier and more profound, with edges of mint leaf, fennel, aniseed and eucalyptus. This is a wine with so much to say, and it is in no hurry to go anywhere. 50% new oak.
Tasted blind. Complex animal notes on the nose. Very round and supple and flattering with a little alcoholic warmth on the finish. Drying tannic finish at present but it should make it eventually. Pretty juicy liquorice fruit. 14.5%
Drink 2029– 2049
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Petrus unfurls very slowly to offer glimpses at licorice, fragrant earth, crushed rocks, and cinnamon toast hints over a core of juicy blackberries, black raspberries, and crushed violets with a subtle waft of dusty earth. Full-bodied, rich, decant and unashamedly flamboyant, the palate has super firm, super velvety tannins and amazing tension, delivering slow releasing exotic spice and black fruit layers, finishing very long, opulent and incredibly impactful. Tuck it away for another 6-8 years, at least, and then count on it transforming magnificently over the following 50-years+.
The 2019 Petrus was picked September 16–29. The bouquet is warm and enveloping, certainly a richer aromatic style for Petrus, with light floral touches and nice focus. The palate is medium-bodied and lightly spiced, displaying fine tannins, sufficient tension given the alcohol level, and a dash of white pepper and clove. The velvety texture is irresistible, and it fans out gloriously, though maybe if you like your Petrus more finessed, the 2020 might suit you more. This is a fabulous Petrus from Olivier Berrouet, even if I wish it came with a dial to adjust that 14.8° alcohol.
