Pétrus 2021

Appearance: Medium to deep garnet-purple with vibrant youthful saturation and a clear rim, reflecting the wine’s balance and refinement.

On the nose, it opens with powerful scents of ripe plums, blackberry preserves, and black raspberries, followed by layered aromatics of violets, lavender, rosebuds, and licorice, alongside subtle earthy notes of truffle and tilled soil that add depth and complexity. 

The palate is medium-to-full bodied and energetic, combining vibrant red and black fruit with bright acidity and very fine-grained tannins that give structure without heaviness. Flavors of raspberry, cassis, and mulberry are complemented by mineral tension and saline sparks, while hints of spice, light incense, and crushed herbs add nuance.

The finish is long and refined, with persistent fruit, mineral lift, and a subtle savory salinity that lingers gracefully.

Overall, Pétrus 2021 is elegant, poised, and expressive, emphasizing purity, finesse, and vibrancy over overt power. It shows the classic Pomerol character of plush Merlot fruit with structural precision, promising rewarding development with careful cellaring.

Serving: 16–18 °C; decant ~2–3 hours in youth to broaden aromatics.

Pairing: Roast lamb with herb jus, duck breast with berry reduction, braised short ribs, or aged hard cheeses.

Drinking Window: ~2028–2050+ (structured yet refined).

2021 Petrus: 99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc: Fermented in cement, 50% new oak. Harvest: September 30 to October 9. As suggested by its lighter color, this Petrus displays rather red berry fruit, cranberries, and red currants, along with a splendid note of licorice. Behind that, there are also delicate floral hints of lilies and violets. On the palate, it is surprisingly slender and energetic with juicy, finely spiced red berry fruit, crafted entirely for freshness and focus, without revealing the seductive melt or erotic fleshiness typically seen in its youth. I am curious to see if it develops these characteristics with bottle aging. A subtle, perhaps too slender Petrus for some, with silky tannins, delicate elegance, and a finish rich in finesse and spiciness

Beautiful length and depth here for the vintage, with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry character. Cloves and sandalwood, too. Full and layered. Ripe and ample, yet balanced and fresh. Crunchy and very bright. 98-99

100% Merlot. 13% alcohol. Fresh, intense violets, iris, some licorice, raspberries, classy and sophisticated, exquisite fruit and tannin, strong structure and long aftertaste. A lighter version of wine from this property, which isn't a surprise considering the challenging weather conditions. Still, it’s an exceptional effort. 96p.