Chateau Petrus - Petrus - Ex Chateau 2021

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

WEINWISSER: "99 % Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc: Fermentation im Zement, 50 % Neuholz. Lese: 30. September bis 09. Oktober. Entsprechend, wie die hellere Farbe es andeutet, zeigt sich dieser Petrus mit eher rotbeeriger Frucht, Preiselbeeren und roten Johannisbeeren, dazu eine herrliche Lakritznote. Dahinter auch feine florale Anklänge mit Lilien und Veilchen. Im Mund erstaunlich schlank und energiegeladen mit saftig-feinwürziger Rotbeerenfrucht, ganz auf Frische und Fokus gemacht, ohne den hier schon in der Jugend so verführerischen Schmelz beziehungsweise die erotische Fleischigkeit zu zeigen. Bin gespannt, ob er diese mit Flaschenreife entwickelt. Ein leiser, manchem vielleicht zu schlanker Petrus mit seidigen Tanninen, delikater Rasse und finessenreichem, pikantem Finale."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "96–98. Barrel Sample. This very aromatic floral wine has already a great sense of presence. The generous, never hard, tannins are cushioned gracefully in the velvet texture. It is very complete—ripe tannins and beautiful juicy fruits bring lightness to the wine as well as freshness at the end."

DECANTER: "A luminous, compelling and memorable Petrus, one of the absolute standouts in 2021. Expressions of dark crimson berries, damson, plums, raspberries, redcurrant fruit, blackcurrant, touches of blood orange zest, cherry perfume and pink flowers on the nose - I could go on..! The aromatic intensity is exceptional and just so beguiling. This has such a seamless continuation of flavours and aromas from start to finish - a consistency, all flowing gracefully - neat, clear and pure. You're not going to find the most rich, dense or exuberant of wines here, that's obvious given the vintage conditions, but this is such an excellent wine from Olivier Berrouet working with the vintage. There is a taffeta quality to the fine and layered tannins that coat the mouth and give an aerial sensation. Juicy and succulent, the acidity comprises part of the structure and carries the expression of the red berry and stone fruit and salty minerality that appears on the finish. Structured with backbone, this is confident in its intensity and momentum but still so refined and finessed. Sublime in its delicacy and grace giving a gentle energy."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Quite floral in nature, initially you dig into the lilacs, violets, truffles, chocolate, plums, cherries, mint leaf, spice, strawberry and black raspberries on the complex nose. This is an elegant, refined Petrus focused on its purity, balance, length and energy, instead of concentration. Reserved, the wine builds slowly on the mid-palate, starting off discreetly, finishing with its red fruits and a touch of salinity in the endnote. Its length sneaks up on you. The success of the vintage is due in large part to waiting for the right moment to pick, which in 2021, with their deep, blue clay, made it necessary to harvest from September 30 - October 9. 13.3% ABV, pH 3.55. Yields are 33 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2055."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach feinem Edelholz und Vanille, feine Herzkirschen, ein Hauch von Trüffel. Saftig und komplex, rote Beeren, elegant und von großer Frische getragen, stoffige Mitte, feine, seidige Tannine, zeigt große Länge, salzig, aber auch die terroirtypischen Nuancen sind klar angelegt, sehr pur und klar, feine Süße im Nachhall."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "One of the most structured, introverted wines of the appellation, the 2021 Pétrus unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, licorice and black truffle, framed by an extremely discreet patina from its élevage in barrel. Full-bodied, ample and concentrated, it's lively and intensely flavored, built around bright acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the long, sapid finish. This is a terrific effort in a challenging vintage from Olivier Berrouet and his team, but it will require patience."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Petrus marches out of the glass with powerful scents of ripe plums, blackberry preserves, and black raspberries, followed by notes of tar, chargrill, tilled soil, and cast-iron pan with a touch of cardamom, violets, and lavender. The aromatics explode after a few moments. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright, vibrant, and minerally, with a lively line of freshness, very plush, fine-grained tannins, and loads of minerally sparks lifting the black fruits, finishing long and earthy."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Complete wine with a certain concentration of fruit and fine quality of tannins. Crushed-fruit aromas with a hint of smoke. Round and full on the palate with well-integrated tannins providing a firmness and length on the finish. Constant from beginning to end. (JL)"