Petrus - Pomerol 2020

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byWilliam Kelleythe4/6/2023

As I observed to Olivier Berrouet, it's hardly very original to find a wine critic extolling the virtues of this Pomerol reference point; and yet, whether one likes it or not, there's no denying that the 2020 Pétrus is a brilliant achievement and indeed one of the very finest vintages at this address over the last two decades. Unwinding in the glass with a deep bouquet of dark berries, cherries and cassis mingled with hints of exotic spices, violets and vine smoke, it's full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with huge depth at the core, exquisitely refined tannins and a youthfully reserved, even restrained profile despite its power and size. This serious, classically proportioned Pétrus is a monument in the making.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Delivers a fairly gorgeous beam of ripe, lush, unadulterated raspberry fruit flecked with light anise, apple wood and sweet tobacco hints along the way, but this is driven from start to finish primarily by the fruit. Showing a subtle mineral edge that adds detail on the finish, this has impressive poise for the vintage. Finishes with a burnish leather feel rather than succulence, but that's the vintage's fault in the end. Best from 2026 through 2040.

Vinous

99 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Pétrus is a wine of pure and total sensuality. Silky, creamy tannins wrap around a core of dark red and black fruit. A wine with explosive depth but no hard edges and mind-blowing balance, the 2020 is so alluring, even in the early going. Time in the glass brings out lifted floral top notes that add freshness. What strikes most is the elegance of the tannins. I don't think I have ever tasted a young Pétrus like the 2020. Technical Director Olivier Berrouet gave the 2020 a bit more time on the skins than is normal. Aging was 17-18 months in oak. Let's cut to the chase. The 2020 Pétrus is profoundly great.

Vinous

98 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Petrus was bottled in June 2020. "I feel the wine changed a lot since primeur, and since bottling," commented winemaker Olivier Berrouet, "gaining an extra layer of complexity and more subtlety, the tannins are more polished. You still feel the tannins that have improved in barrel, but it needs aging." It has a spectacular nose that does not hold back: layers of intense black cherry, blueberry, crushed violet and incense rocketing from the glass and almost overwhelming the senses. The palate is medium-bodied yet fills the mouth, almost engulfing it with a payload of concentrated blackberry, cassis, and cracked black pepper. This is extremely harmonious on the finish. It's more peppery on the finish than I recall. Likewise, it deserves more cellaring than I previously envisaged. Fabulous.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

98 / 100

byJane Ansonthe1/16/2023

Petrus plays at the very top of the vintage and is a serious, textured and knitted down take on its character. There are big tannins here, and you need to wait for the fleshy and creamy cassis and bilberry fruit to appear. Smoked caramel and cocoa bean add a gourmet edge, and the complexity comes through in the evolution of texture and flavours - the tannins become almost chalky after a few minutes, as the lightness and air underneath the fruit becomes clear. Exceptional, a clever wine that needs times and air and has unquestionable staying power, with a brush of bitter almond giving focus on the finish. 50% new oak, 39hl/h yield, 3.6ph. Harvest September 5 to 18.

TASTED

100 / 100

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

Very intense, pure and layered – fine wood and gentle toast showing blackberry, raspberry, cassis, truffle and meaty notes. Impressive power with great elegance and an immense tannic backbone, very powdery and grainy with a chewy quality, absolutely no hard edges, refreshing and mouth coating with fine dark chocolate praline, black cherry and abundant fruit flavours followed by an extremely long, nuanced and pure finish.

Vinous

96-98 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/25/2021

The 2020 Petrus is limpid purple in color. It has a classic bouquet with a distinct marine influence, offering hints of shucked oyster shell married with extraordinarily pure black fruit and a touch of pressed iris flower, all focused and very controlled (perhaps more so than other vintages). Loamy scents percolate through with time. The palate makes an instant impression in terms of intensity, vibrancy and focus. The tannins grip the mouth but do not overwhelm, and they become ever more refined with aeration. This is a symmetrical Petrus that brushes off the extremities of the growing season, maintaining that initial marine theme. There is a magnificent crescendo as it fans out gloriously on the finish, gaining flesh and salinity. The 2020 demands attention and should age magnificently in bottle.

Le Figaro

97-99 / 100

the6/2/2021

Un bouquet magistral d'iris, de pivoines et de glycine, accompagné de notes de fruits mûrs, avec cette pureté minérale si caractéristique des vins de Petrus, et cette exquise touche de myrtille . A cela vient s'ajouter une fraîcheur exquise, et une délicatesse hypnotique… En bouche, une trame de fruits d'une puissance et d'une précision extrêmes, avec cette élégance naturelle de fleurs encore en boutons, malgré des tannins bien présents. Ses arômes vous suivent comme une panthère noire jusqu'au bout d'une finale longue et saline.

Yvesbeck.wine

98 / 100

byYves Beckthe5/27/2021

Merlot
Bouquet complexe et subtile. Il révèle de notes épicées au travers de nuances poivrées. Belle
intensité fruitée composée de cerises, de mûres et de cassis. Nuances de pivoines. Attaque
compacte, imposante. Comme à son habitude, Petrus montre beaucoup de puissance, mais d'une manière maîtrisée, raisonnée. Le défi était de maîtriser les extractions et d'éviter à tout prix le moindre excès explique Olivier Berrouet. La structure porte l'ensemble du vin jusqu'en finale en soulignant la fraîcheur et la finesse du vin.
Lorsque finesse et puissance sont aussi bien en phase, la notion de grand vin n'est plus à démontrer.
Tannins précis, serrés, très fins. Finale fruitée persistante, touche minérale. 2028-2060 98-100/100

Decanter.com

98 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Extremely powerful, this has the concentration of the vintage no question, but it is oh so slowly dealt out. Despite the clear water reserves in the soils of Petrus, the Merlot still slowed down its ripening over the dry summer - just 30mm of rain here in August - before suddenly accelerating in September. A ton of acidity alongside silky seductive tannins, dense and powerful with violet floral notes streaking through the fruit as it opens. Gorgeous balance with unmistakable personality. Yields here were around 39hl/ha. 3.6pH. Harvest September 5 to 18. 

Anthocyanes

99-100 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Joli nez frais et délicat, de la fraicheur, des notes de mures, de myrtille et une pointe de cassis. Fumé, violette, graphite et réglisse. Bouche veloutée, charnue, de beaux tanins veloutés et cristallins pour un Petrus tout en charme, en puissance contenue et une allonge remarquable qui tend l'ensemble pour une finale aérienne. Quelle fraicheur ! Très savoureux. Avec un pH de 3,65, un des plus bas de l'ensemble de Bordeaux, le vin se tend et finit aérien. Une très grande bouteille de Petrus. Pour dans 50 ans pour les plus patients et une dizaine d'années pour les plus impatients. Encore un travail remarquable d'Olivier Berrouet et ses équipes.

Bernard Burtschy

99-100 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

Falstaff

97-99 / 100

the5/10/2021

Waldheidelbeere im Duft, sehr frisch und klar. Himbeere, rote Johannisbeere, dazu ein eisenmineralischer Unterton. Im Mund dicht mit sehr feinem Gerbstoff besetzt, integrierter Alkohol, viel unterliegende Cremigkeit, nahtlos integrierte Säure, Schmelz und Feinnervigkeit, und eine ebenso feine wie eindringliche mineralische Ader, die den Wein durchzieht bis ganz zuletzt, da sich zudem salzige Wahrnehmun- gen einstellen.

My Bettane + Desseauve

98 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021