x
  • Country ranking ?

    217
  • Producer ranking ?

    12
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2035
  • Food Pairing

    None

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

Petrus 1989 Imperial Fetches More Than $35,000 at Sotheby's Sale

A six-liter imperial of 1989 Petrus from the Pomerol region of Bordeaux fetched 28,200 pounds ($35,100) from a U.K. private bidder at a Sotheby’s wine sale in London last week, exceeding the upper estimate of 20,000 pounds, according to an e-mailed statement from the auction house.

Twelve bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 sold for 22,325 pounds. Among Burgundies, six magnums of Chambertin 1980 Armand Rousseau went for 18,800 pounds, compared with an upper estimate of just 3,000 pounds, while six bottles of La Romanee 2002 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair fetched 16,450 pounds. Auction prices included a 17.5 percent buyer’s premium, which was not included in presale estimates.

 

The auction came as the market for top-end Bordeaux wine has been recovering after a 40 percent plunge in prices of many first growths. The London-based Liv-ex Fine Wine 50 Index of top Bordeaux rose 27 percent last year, recouping some of the ground lost during the five previous years of declines. Demand for scarce or historic Burgundy bottles remains solid, as does appetite for wines from regions such as the Rhone, northern Italy and California.

The Feb. 22 sale was “very strong across the board,” Stephen Mould, head of Sotheby’s Wine Europe, said in the statement. “The collection included some fabulous Burgundy, with rare Rousseau rocketing several times over the high estimate.”

Twelve bottles of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2000 sold for 15,275 pounds, while a 12-bottle case of Chateau Lafite 2000 fetched 13,513 pounds and two magnums of Petrus 1990 went for 10,575 pounds.

Close

The Story

Drinking Pétrus may be an unforgettable experience. We has been lucky to have the opportunity to taste most of its great vintages. That is why wine enthusiasts often come to us for advice. First, WeI advise you to choose a good vintage, an excellent one if your wallet allows. If you taste a poor vintage, you will notice how it raises above most other wines of the same vintage, but you will miss the actual point of Pétrus.

Second, purchase wine that is at least 10 to 20 years old, because a young Pétrus is difficult to approach, besides which oak and tannins predominate in its taste. Young Pétrus may be impressive, but it ages fantastically and requires more time than any other Pomerol wine to reach its culmination. Finally, We would advise you to decant the wine with care and well in advance, and also to give it time to develop in the glass. Then you will have the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable experience.

 

Little known 50 years ago, this château has seen the rise of a myth about the uniqueness of its wine. The wine’s inimatibility is due to many factors, first of all, an exceptional terroir - 40 meters above sea level, the highest point of the appellation - with a layer of heavy clay soil and an iron subsoil. These are ideal conditions for the expression of the Merlot grape. With such a special terroir, the approach in the vineyard and cellar is traditional and respectful.

The work done in the vineyard is fastidious - severe pruning in the winter, regular ploughing, crop-thinning, de-leafing, manicuring the clusters in the summer - and allows the perfect ripening of the fruit. The grape are manually harvested within two afternoons and sorted before crush.

Fermentation is carried out gently, without any overextraction, in temperature-controlled concrete tanks. The blend, very often pure Merlot, is defined in December and the young wine is aged in 100% new oak barrels.

This property made famous by Madame Edmond Loubat and then by Monsieur Jean-Pierre Moueix, culminates at 130 feet on the plateau of Pomerol. Ets Jean-Pierre Moueix is responsible for the cultivation, vinification and aging as well as the export distribution of Petrus wines.

 

 

Close

Wine Information

Parker 100 points / This wine is more tightly knit, more tannic, but every bit the blockbuster concentrated effort that its younger sibling, the 1990, is. It seems to need more coaxing from the glass, but the color is virtually identical, a dense ruby/purple with no lightening at the edge. In the mouth the wine cuts a broad swath, with spectacular intensity, richness, massive concentration, and high levels of tannin, yet the wine is fabulously well-delineated and like its sibling, the 1990, has a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. It does not seem to be quite as evolved as the 1990, and my instincts suggest there is a bit more tannin, but both are as prodigious as Petrus can be. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040.

100 points / I have always loved this wine. It's a giant, yet also sophisticated and reserved. Still dark-ruby colored, with beautiful aromas of fruits and spices. Full-bodied, with opulent fruit and a depth of flavor that lasts for minutes on the palate. Loads of tobacco and fruit.--Pétrus non-blind vertical. Best after 2010. James Suckling, WineSpectator.com

Close

Average Bottle Price

2023 2020 2017 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2005
3 750€ +2.6% 3 655€ +5.9% 3 452€ +6.9% 3 229€ +4.2% 3 098€ -9.8% 3 433€ +19.9% 2 863€ -16.5% 3 429€ +14.8% 2 987€ +114.9% 1 390€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Full and Ruby red

ending

Long and Spicy

flavors

Voluptuous, Smoky and Truffles

nose

Ripe and Generous

recommend

Yes

taste

Well-structured, Complex, Corked, Medium-bodied, Rich and Ripe

Written Notes

The 1989 Petrus came out, and now we were talking! I was all about the coconut kisses amidst its deep purple and black fruits. It was thick as a brick and rich with great length and zip. This was the ‘BEST,’ I wrote. Some things never change (99).

  • 99p
While being an excellent vintage, this year had many challenges. The vines were very much rushing their growth cycle. After April the growth was already three weeks ahead of normal. Early flowering occurred in very favourable conditions and guaranteed a large crop. The summer turned out be the hottest since 1949. The harvest started already at the end of August, being the earliest harvest since 1893. The hot weather caused some problems for reaching the optimum physiological ripeness. Simultaneously when the acidity levels started to decline, the sugar levels skyrocketed. This was a more common problem on right bank. Nevertheless Pétrus turned out to be a success with its edgy austere character. An opaque, intense ruby colour. Very intense, ripe dark berry nose with spice, truffle and floral tones. Rich medium-bodied palate shows very ripe dark fruit character, moderate acidity and chocolate tones with mineral spiciness. Powerful tannic structure takes a hold on a long concentrated finish. An immense concentration and great balance guarantees that this still youthful wine benefits from further aging for ten years or more.
  • 99p

The 1989 Petrus comes across much more backward than the 1990 on this occasion. It is still youthful on the nose considering its age, almost broody at first, intense and focused. If it were an actor, it would be the English actor Tom Hardy in the reboot of "Mad Max". The fruit profile leans more towards black than red, then it unfurls and reveals gorgeous scents of eucalyptus and wild hearth, iron rust and chestnut. The palate is medium-bodied and shows more weight and density than the 1990. What distinguishes this Pomerol is the structure and the symmetry, the manner in which it fans out on the finish with bewitching detail and precision. Fermented grape juice in its myriad of forms, does not get better than the 1989 Petrus when it is in full flight. Tasted at the Petrus dinner at the Épure restaurant in Hong Kong.

  • 100p

A solid, firm wine with a tannin structure that is softening. Aromas of chocolate, ripe fruit and meat. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and tannins and a long, long finish. Thick and chewy. Gorgeous

  • 98p

A wolf in sheep's clothing. No sign of age in this wine. Extremely sophisticated and incredibly promising. Very complex and with enormous length on the palate. Let it rest horizontally for 10-15 years more.

  • 99p
Deep garnet colour. Soft, plummy dark fruit nose with medicinal tones. The firm palate has some restraint and a tight stylish tannic structure. Elegant and intensely fruity, ready to reach its peak in the next 5 to 10 years. Complex with an elegant refreshing acidity and long lasting finish.
  • 94p
Deep garnet colour. Soft, plummy dark fruit nose with black olives, truffles, violets and also medicinal tones. The firm palate has some restraint and a firm chewy tannins, and lovely cassis and spicy vanilla flavours. Elegant and intensely fruity, ready to reach its peak in the next 5 to 10 years. Complex with an elegant refreshing acidity and long lasting finish.
  • 98p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

Bordeaux, Pomerol

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Satisfactory

Investment potential

Very Good

Fake factory

There is a possibility

Glass time

2h

Other wines from this producer

Saute-Loup Reserve de La Famille

Inside Information

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate / This wine is more tightly knit, more tannic, but every bit the blockbuster concentrated effort that its younger sibling, the 1990, is. It seems to need more coaxing from the glass, but the color is virtually identical, a dense ruby/purple with no lightening at the edge. In the mouth the wine cuts a broad swath, with spectacular intensity, richness, massive concentration, and high levels of tannin, yet the wine is fabulously well-delineated and like its sibling, the 1990, has a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. It does not seem to be quite as evolved as the 1990, and my instincts suggest there is a bit more tannin, but both are as prodigious as Petrus can be.

Read more
Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

  Register