2018 Pétrus Pomerol

Region: Bordeaux, France

Grape: 100% Merlot

Vineyard Practice: Sustainable

Culinary Suggestions: Beef, Lamb Roast, Pork, Lamb, Duck, Game, Roast Chicken

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bottle Size: 750 ml

Origins

Pétrus stands as a paragon of Bordeaux excellence and the pinnacle of Pomerol. Its unmatched terroir and precise winemaking techniques elevate it to one of the world's most prestigious wines. Securing a bottle in excellent condition is a rare luxury that we are glad to provide here, given its global reputation and strong demand.

The essence of Pétrus lies in its profound expression of terroir. The vineyard, a mere 11.4 hectares (28 acres), is perched on the highest hill of Pomerol, on Bordeaux's right bank, at an altitude of 40 metres. The vines, with an average age of 40 years, are densely planted at 7,000 vines per hectare. This concentration, combined with the rigorous massal selection process—cloning the best vines to preserve their superior qualities ensures the continuation of Pétrus's exceptional heritage.

Since 2011, the vineyard has been exclusively planted with Merlot, having replaced the former Cabernet Franc vines. Since 2011, the vineyard has been exclusively planted with Merlot, having replaced the former Cabernet Franc vines. This decision highlights the vineyard's unique composition of iron-rich clay soil, coupled with blue clay veins. Such a distinctive soil profile enhances the grapes' ability to achieve optimal ripeness and complexity, thanks to the superior water drainage properties. The result is a wine of extraordinary depth, complexity, and elegance.

Critic Reviews

100 Points

Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2018 Petrus is every bit as grand as I thought it could be. A wine with no start and no end, the 2018 envelops all the senses from the very first taste. It is at times intellectual, while in other moments more hedonistic, but it is always a total turn-on. Silky and layered, with exquisite finesse and depth to burn, the 2018 Petrus is unquestionably the wine of the vintage on the Right Bank and one of the handful of truly unforgettable wines of the vintage. As I wrote when I tasted the 2018 from barrel, I have never tasted a young Petrus with this much sheer class. It's an absolutely brilliant effort Petrus and Technical Director Olivier Berrouet.

~ Drink 2028 - 2068

Published: March 2021

100 Points

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate

The 2018 Petrus has retained its opaque purple-black color after bottling, foreshadowing the seemingly frozen-in-time glacial pace at which this wine is proceeding. It opens very reluctantly, requiring considerable air with vigorous swirling and doggedly demands a few hours before it offers glimpses at this slumbering giant of a wine. As it eventually unfurls, it slowly morphs into a powerful, fantastically pure nose of preserved plums, blackberry preserves and blueberry compote, followed by nuances of molten licorice, dark chocolate, black truffles, iron ore and, still later, floral notions of lilacs and rose oil come through. The full-bodied palate is taut, muscular and oh-so-tightly wound at this stage, revealing peeks at many, many layers of perfectly ripe black and blue fruits, exotic spices and earthy notions for which words simply fail. The texture is at once rock solid and fantastically plush, with impeccably knit freshness, finishing so long you really can't taste or think of anything else for the rest of the day. Here is a heart-stopping titan that puts paid to all those naysayers who contest that perfection in wine cannot exist. It will require a good 8-10 years to hit its stride, then it is very likely to outlive us all, but you will want to make certain you drink this one before you go.

~ Drink 2029 - 2080

Published: April, 2021

98 Points

Neal Martin, Vinous Media

The 2018 Pétrus, matured in 50% new oak, was assessed over a period of 24 hours. It has a magnificent nose, replete with intense black currant, crushed violet and vanilla-y scents, the latter becoming subsumed with modest aeration. These aromas are chiseled to the nth degree and as harmonious as the Everly Brothers. The palate is, to use the phrase I employed out of barrel, quintessential Pétrus. The tannins are less grainy and lend this Pétrus a beguiling satiny veneer that is irresistible. Deep and gently gripping in the mouth, it has retained the clarity and pixelation I noted in barrel. The stunning tension and cohesion toward the finish will leave you with a Cheshire Cat grin plastered all over your face. I maintain that this is among Olivier Berrouet’s finest Pétrus to date. 

~ Drink 2024 - 2060

Published: January, 2021