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The 2014 Petrus has a bouquet that storms from the glass with exotic red cherries, blood orange, strawberry tart and cedar scents, only calming down after several minutes. Rich and opulent – although they are not facets of a truly great Petrus to me. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of candied red fruit, fine structure, a 2014 that is letting it all hang out so soon after bottling, which causes me some concern in terms of what it has left in reserve for long-term ageing and evolution. It just does not deliver a knockout blow on the slightly brittle finish, completing a very good Pomerol but in my opinion, it is not the greatest Petrus in recent years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
The 2014 Petrus has a bouquet that storms from the glass with exotic red cherries, blood orange, strawberry tart and cedar scents, only calming down after several minutes. Rich and opulent – although they are not facets of a truly great Petrus to me. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of candied red fruit, fine structure, a 2014 that is letting it all hang out so soon after bottling, which causes me some concern in terms of what it has left in reserve for long-term ageing and evolution. It just does not deliver a knockout blow on the slightly brittle finish, completing a very good Pomerol but in my opinion, it is not the greatest Petrus in recent years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
The Petrus 2014 was picked from 23 September until 4 October. Delivering 14.5% alcohol, the same as 2009 and 2010, which is being aged in 50% new oak and includes 3% vin de presse, is deceptively uncomplicated on the nose at first, but don't be fooled. Affording it time to open (whilst videoing Olivier Berrouet) it develops very attractive blackberry, briary, violets and incense aromas that are beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannins. The acidity is very well judged with lightly grippy black fruit, a pleasant salinity surfacing towards the licorice and tar-tinged finish that fans out gradually. It does not have the length of a top tier vintage but as you would expect there is real class here. Perhaps it will be more approachable than other vintages thanks to the fineness of the tannins, but overall, this is a great wine under the guiding hand of Olivier Berrouet even if it is not the greatest Petrus he will ever make.
The 2014 Pétrus possesses remarkable density and power, with superb overall depth and an explosive sense of energy that is impossible to miss. Scents of violet, spice and rose petal open up in the glass before the fruit totally takes over. Broad and resonant throughout, Pétrus is one of the bigger, richer wines readers will come across in 2014. The harvest at Pétrus took place between September 23 and October 4. Winemaker Olivier Berrouet gave the 2014 15 days on the skins, opting for what he describes as very gentle extractions. New oak is 50%.
There’s a density and refinement to the 2014 Petrus with a dark chocolate, walnut and blueberry character. Violet. The length is beautiful with such density and intensity. The tannins arrive at the end. The wine is 14.3% alcohol. They cut back the crop and what they were left with was ripe and clean grapes. This has more texture. Fine and toned tannins. This takes off. Marvelous potential for the vintage.
Former winemaker, Jean-Claude Berrouet, likens the growing season to 1978. But 60hl/ha then; 30hl/ha today. Classical and fine with the Merlot providing a Cabernet-like presentation of tannin. Very natural and unforced. Lovely texture and fruit. Long, persistent finish. Drink: 2022-2045
(100 Merlot) | 14.5% alc. | 50% new oak. Some coulure in June reduced the yields a little at Pétrus to 30 hl/ha. The result is a seriously smooth and very controlled wine with beautiful plum and liquorice notes topped off with great acidity and perfectly ripe tannins. This is one of the most focussed and restrained Pétrus I have tasted and its magnificent tones and sonorous clarity are nothing short of exemplary. This might not be a great vintage but it is an effortlessly classy one with a very long life ahead of it.
In 2013 the yield was 23 hl/ha, and in 2014 it was 30 hl/ha. Mid ruby. Quite a pale rim – absolutely not a dense dark look! Mix of savoury and floral notes. Not exceptionally intense aromatically but very beautiful texture and an intensity of flavour that really builds on the finish. Real burgundian build! Very refined tannins and strong mineral notes on the end. Really quite distinctive. Broad and peacock’s tail. Unlike any other wine in 2014. Juicy and sweet on the end. Long and neat. Aérien. 14.5% Drink 2022-2040
“A terroir vintage” is how Olivier Berrouet describes 2014, referring to the fact that Pétrus coped well with the conditions during the growing season. The result is floral, silky and aromatic with finesse and palate length and more structure than is immediately apparent. It doesn’t show its 14.5% alcohol. Drink: 2022-32
Offers a gorgeous caressing feel at first, with velvety raspberry and plum fruit, then picks up a light briar echo and a fine pebbly feel through the finish, adding range and length. The latent grip is supple and fully embedded, while an alluring incense note weaves throughout. A thoroughly beguiling wine.
The small sub-region of Pomerol is situated north-east of the industrious city of Libourne. Pomerol's soils are predominately iron-rich clay with a smattering of gravel that produce wines with extraordinary power and depth. As a result of this clay-dominance, it has the highest percentage of Merlot planted in all of Bordeaux. Certain châteaux are produced exclusively from this grape, but most incorporate smaller quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc as well. Despite its hefty (if not exclusive) proportion of Merlot, many people think of wines from this region as separate entities. As one wine aficionado stated recently, "It's not Merlot. It's Pomerol." Despite the region's small size, Pomerol contains some of the world's most sought after (and expensive) wines including Pétrus, Le Pin, Lafleur, l'Evangile and Vieux Château Certan. Unlike other Bordelais subregions, there is no system of classification. The châteaux are traded on reputation alone.
