Chateau Petrus - Petrus - Ex Chateau 2021

JAMES SUCKLING: "Refined, subtle and elegant, with aromas of violets, nutmeg, sandalwood, bark and plums that follow through to a medium body with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Goes on and on. Most impressive are the seamless texture and solid center palate. Lightly chalky at the end. Best after 2028."

WEINWISSER: "99 % Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc: Fermentation im Zement, 50 % Neuholz. Lese: 30. September bis 09. Oktober. Entsprechend, wie die hellere Farbe es andeutet, zeigt sich dieser Petrus mit eher rotbeeriger Frucht, Preiselbeeren und roten Johannisbeeren, dazu eine herrliche Lakritznote. Dahinter auch feine florale Anklänge mit Lilien und Veilchen. Im Mund erstaunlich schlank und energiegeladen mit saftig-feinwürziger Rotbeerenfrucht, ganz auf Frische und Fokus gemacht, ohne den hier schon in der Jugend so verführerischen Schmelz beziehungsweise die erotische Fleischigkeit. Bin gespannt, ob er diese mit Flaschenreife entwickelt. Ein leiser, manchem vielleicht zu schlanker Petrus mit seidigen Tanninen, delikater Rasse und finessenreichem, pikantem Finale."

DECANTER: "A luminous, compelling and memorable Petrus, one of the absolute standouts in 2021. Expressions of dark crimson berries, damson, plums, raspberries, redcurrant fruit, blackcurrant, touches of blood orange zest, cherry perfume and pink flowers on the nose - I could go on..! The aromatic intensity is exceptional and just so beguiling. This has such a seamless continuation of flavours and aromas from start to finish - a consistency, all flowing gracefully - neat, clear and pure. You're not going to find the most rich, dense or exuberant of wines here, that's obvious given the vintage conditions, but this is such an excellent wine from Olivier Berrouet working with the vintage. There is a taffeta quality to the fine and layered tannins that coat the mouth and give an aerial sensation. Juicy and succulent, the acidity comprises part of the structure and carries the expression of the red berry and stone fruit and salty minerality that appears on the finish. Structured with backbone, this is confident in its intensity and momentum but still so refined and finessed. Sublime in its delicacy and grace giving a gentle energy."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2021 Petrus is medium to deep purple-black in color. After a swirl or two, notes of raspberry preserves, kirsch, and rose oil prance out of the glass, opening out to an undercurrent of fragrant soil, mossy tree bark, and graphite, with a waft of iron ore and an emerging anise hint. The medium-bodied palate vibrates with energy-charged red and black fruits, framed by very fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. This must be one of the most elegant, graceful vintages of Petrus ever!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Quite floral in nature, initially you dig into the lilacs, violets, truffles, chocolate, plums, cherries, mint leaf, spice, strawberry and black raspberries on the complex nose. This is an elegant, refined Petrus focused on its purity, balance, length and energy, instead of concentration. Reserved, the wine builds slowly on the mid-palate, starting off discreetly, finishing with its red fruits and a touch of salinity in the endnote. Its length sneaks up on you. The success of the vintage is due in large part to waiting for the right moment to pick, which in 2021, with their deep, blue clay, made it necessary to harvest from September 30 - October 9. 13.3% ABV, pH 3.55. Yields are 33 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2055."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "From barrel, the 2021 Pétrus was decidedly muscular and introverted, but élevage has certainly tamed it, delivering a result that's much more sensual and charming than I could have imagined. Offering up aromas of ripe cherries, mulberries, rose petals, licorice and violets, it's full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a suave, seamless, lively profile and a bright, perfumed finish. This wine, which was racked out of barrel two months earlier than usual, will offer an unusually broad drinking window. In style, it reminds me somewhat of the estate's 2011."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach feinem Edelholz und Vanille, feine Herzkirschen, ein Hauch von Trüffel. Saftig und komplex, rote Beeren, elegant und von großer Frische getragen, stoffige Mitte, feine, seidige Tannine, zeigt große Länge, salzig, aber auch die terroirtypischen Nuancen sind klar angelegt, sehr pur und klar, feine Süße im Nachhall."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Complete wine with a certain concentration of fruit and fine quality of tannins. Crushed-fruit aromas with a hint of smoke. Round and full on the palate with well-integrated tannins providing a firmness and length on the finish. Constant from beginning to end."

JEB DUNNUCK: "An elegant, civilized expression of this terroir, the 2021 Château Petrus is, as always, 100% Merlot and it's medium to full-bodied, with an almost bloody edge to its ripe red and black fruits as well as notes of tobacco, sappy flowers, and iron. With beautiful mid-palate depth, fine tannins, and a layered, elegant mouthfeel that has solid underlying structure, it's going to be ready to go with just 4-6 years of bottle age and evolve gracefully over the following two decades."