Vertical of Petrus 1964-2009
Magnum size

Owner: SC du Château Petrus

Area: 11,5ha (at the climax of Pomerol, 40m above sea level)

Grapes: 96% merlot, 4% cabernet franc

Planting density: 5500-6000 vines/ha – Average grape age : 32 years old

Average yield: 35hl/ha

Breeding: Fermentations from 20 to 24 days thermoregulated concrete vats; Completion of malolactic in vats for 80% of the harvest, was for the rest; aging in new oak; extraction quarterly barrel to barrel; egg white fining, no filtration

At maturity within 10 to 50 years following the vintage. The magnum format ensures the best possible preservation.

1964 (RP : 97): «1964 Petrus offers a huge, smoky, roasted bouquet of jammy fruit, coffee, and mocha. This huge, massively-endowed wine is packed with alcohol, glycerin, and high tannin. There is stupendous extraction of fruit and amazing length. The only criticism is that it is perhaps too big and robust for its own good.»

1975 (RP : 98+): «The 1975 Petrus reveals a youthful, rustic, brutally powerful style, with an opaque garnet/ruby/purple color, and an emerging nose of over-ripe black-cherries, mocha/chocolate, and truffles. Extremely full-bodied, ferociously tannic, but awesomely concentrated, the 1975 Petrus can be drunk, provided readers have a penchant for slightly uncivilized wines. It is potentially a 50 year wine, with exquisite concentration and intensity.»

1989 (RP : 100): «Multi-millionaire collectors will have fun comparing the 1989 and 1990 Petrus. The 1989 has a slightly more saturated color, and seems more tightly knit both aromatically and on the palate. However, this is splitting hairs, as this is another stunningly opulent, rich, full-bodied, amazingly concentrated, exotic, flamboyant Petrus that remains remarkably youthful. Additionally, the tannins are slightly more elevated, at least from a tactile impression. »

1995 (RP : 96+): «Unquestionably one of the vintage's superstars, the 1995 Petrus is taking on a personality similar to the extraordinarily backward, muscular 1975. The wine exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, followed by a knock-out nose of pain grille, jammy black fruits, and roasted coffee. On the palate, it possesses teeth-staining extract levels, massive body, and rich, sweet black fruits buttressed by powerful, noticeable tannin. A formidably endowed wine with layers of extract, this is a huge, tannic, monstrous-sized Petrus»

2009 (RP : 100): «An opulent Petrus very much in the stylistic family of the 1990, this 100% Merlot has a dense plum/purple color and a sweet nose of mulberries, black cherries, some subtle toast and licorice as well as a floral element. A wine of great intensity, a multidimensional mouthfeel and full-bodied, stunning concentration, the 2009 Petrus is everything one would expect of it.»