95-100 / 100
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..
CHÂTEAU CANON LA GAFFELIERE 1970
Saint Emilion
Saint Estèphe
Saint Estèphe
Saint Emilion
Lalande de Pomerol
Haut Medoc
Margaux
Pomerol
Saint Julien
(06-2013) Pure and rich. Long. Pure and sweet. Complex and racy. Really lively and complete. A wonderful bottle of the 1970.
(04-2013) Tasted at Benoit restaurant in New York. This is my second bottle in just over a month and it is perhaps even better. Here it offers a sensational bouquet with black rather than red fruit, hints of thyme, sage and broom, the delineation utterly profound. The palate is perfectly balanced with both intensity and elegance to spare. The fruit remains intact but melted and decayed, absorbed into the secondary flavours of black truffle, tobacco, hints of Christmas cake and a long, languorous liquorice-tinged finish. This is just a fabulous Pomerol and a fabulous Petrus. Tasted April 2013.
Acker Merrall and Condit, reputable wineseller in New York and Hong Kong (2012) The 1970 was stony and muscular, with a broader palate and noticeably more oak, but not in a bad way. The Hedonist admired its ‘great purity and definition.’ I was loving this wine, another beautiful monster that was big and rich, a wine that got bigger and more massive with each sip.
(09-2007)