Château Pétrus 2017
Made In: France—Bordeaux
Product Type: Red Wine
Bottle Size: 750mL
Alcohol/Vol: 13%
Sugar Content: 3G/L
Sweetness Descriptor: XD
VINTAGES#: 0628735
Program Type: Bordeaux Futures
There was no frost here, but they still had to contend with 100mm of rain at the end of June, then one-third of regular rainfall over July and August, then rain again in September. The young vines were more affected by drought, but the older vines had to be left for a few weeks to digest the early September rains. As you might expect, we don't need to worry unduly about winemaker Olivier Berrouet's ability to handle it - but you can certainly see that he had to make a number of careful choices. The harvest, for example, was from 8-28 September - a long spread for such a small vineyard, but they needed to be really careful and work plot by plot. The resulting wine has an extremely powerful nose; the aromatics are high and very complex. On the palate I get dark chocolate, slate, liquorice and damson flesh, giving a dense, compact structure followed by a floral finish. It's fresh and complex, with notable spice. The tannins are deceptive, building over the palate to a fairly tannic finish, and it's very persistent, not a large step down from the last two years, even if it's not quite at their heights. Higher alcohol than most this year, but well balanced. Drinking Window: 2025-2040. Score - 96. (Jane Anson, decanter.com)
Prices subject to change without notice. Prices include container deposit fees where applicable. % Alcohol/Volume subject to change without notice.