Château Petrus, a myth in Bordeaux, an icone of Pomerol (an appellation of the right bank) welcomed Paolo Basso, Best Sommelier of the World 2013, in May for a tasting of the 2015 vintage.
In the sober tasting room of the château, enologist Olivier Berrouet welcomes us and explains how wine is crafted at Petrus “where the story that wine tells is more interesting that the men who are here only to seek for the perfect balance between structure and material”.
The very favourable weather conditions in 2015 on the right bank of the Gironde with a warm spring without excessive rainfall, a dry early summer and some rain in August during veraison allowed the development of top quality grapes. Each plot of the 11.5 hectares of the vineyard of Petrus (100% planted with Merlot since 2010) could then be picked slowly, at optimum ripeness between September 15 and 29.
The picked grape with a high alcohol content then required a long work in the beginning of the fermentation, then a bit more then three weeks of vinification in the impressive concrete vathouse rebuilt in 2012. The élevage comes afterwards during 16 to 20 months according to the vintage in new (50%) or once-used barrels. The whole process is carried on with an extreme precision in the respect of the vegetal legacy (the vineyard) and the raw material, the grapes, to preserve all its qualities. Château Petrus 2015 with a finesse and complexity superior to 2010, is the purest expression of this work.
“The tasting of Petrus is fascinating and it confirms this wine is a class in itself” – Paolo Basso
Les baies récoltées avec une richesse en alcool importante ont ensuite demandé un long travail en début de fermentation, puis un peu plus de trois semaines de vinification dans l’imposant cuvier ciment refait en 2012. S’en suit l’élevage, 16 à 20 mois selon les millésimes, en barriques neuves (50 %) ou de un vin. Le tout mené avec une extrême précision dans le respect du végétal (le vignoble) et de la matière que sont les raisins afin d’en préserver toutes les qualités. Le Château Petrus 2015, à la finesse et à la complexité supérieures au 2010, en est l’expression.
Valérie Germe-Massot
The nose is already open and complex with a perfectly ripe fruitiness, a delicate spiciness and a beautiful complexity. A surprising first taste with an exceptional saltiness that evidences a grand minerality. An increasing development towards a savoury, complex mid-palate both powerful and elegant with an outstanding freshness and tanins that build up a fine and tightly-knit frame. The finish of good intensity surprises by its endless length, still supported by the beautiful savoury note that comes along all the tasting from the beginning. The tasting of Petrus is fascinating and it confirms this wine is a class in itself.
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