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Noncontractual photograph
The Petrus estate derives its name from a village called "Petrus". Its history is recent and yet this wine is already a legend. Throughout the nineteenth century the area belonged to the Arnaud family. In 1925, a woman from the Libourne region, Ms. Loubat, takes shares in the property. Twenty years later she is the sole owner. Understanding that the wines of the Medoc sell for more than wines of Pomerol, in particular her wines, she did everything she could to take advantage of such a promising terroir. In a few decades the myth was born. In 1961, Mrs Lacoste and Mr. Lignac, niece and nephew of Mrs. Loubat inherit the estate.The vineyard is based on the highest hill of the designation, culminating at an altitude of 40 meters. The soil consists mainly of clay which is well suited to Merlot which constitutes 95% of the plantings. The 12 hectares are the subject of constant work and a constant obsession with détail. It is thought that Pétrus is more accessible to tasting than some of its illustrious colleagues..
Pomerol
Pessac Leognan
Pauillac
Haut Medoc
CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT BRION 1981
Pessac Leognan
CHÂTEAU LEOVILLE LAS CASES 1981
Saint Julien
CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1981
Pauillac
CHÂTEAU BEYCHEVELLE 1981 Magnum
Saint Julien
Margaux
Pomerol
(07-2013) Very dense crimson. Sweet, sophisticated and covers all the bases. Medium weight for a Petrus but quite velvety for an 81. A very successful 1981 – as neighbour Certan de May was.
(12-1997) Sweet. Delicious.
(10-1994) Big and very ripe, almost raisiny. Mouth-coating fruit with ripe tannins, but a little clumsy to be outstanding.
(09-2007)
(01-2003) remember how thrilling the 1981 Petrus was from cask, but it has never performed as well from bottle. I have continued to downgrade it. In this tasting, the wine exhibited an understated, light, washed-out personality, with vegetal cherry/coffee-flavored fruit in the nose intermingled with scents of spicy oak. Tart, lean, and austere, this is a Medoc-like tasting wine without any of the Petrus sweetness, chewiness, or unctuosity. This must be one of the most overrated wines of the past two decades. As there was virtually no sediment in this 16-year old wine, I wonder if it was excessively fined and/or filtered?