Pétrus 2023

The 2023 Pétrus reveals a fresh, perfumed bouquet of raspberries, cassis, iris and violet mingled with hints of spices, followed by a full-bodied, layered and textural palate with a deep core of pure, crystalline fruit framed by exquisitely sweet structuring tannins. Concluding with an ethereal, resonant finish, it represents a singular interpretation of this estate in a more tensile, ethereal style, and it's all the more compelling for that. This year, Olivier Berrouet minimized pumping over to avoid over-extracting, thereby preserving ultra-refined tannins. The harvest, conducted between September 11 and 20, brought in the Merlot grapes at their optimal maturity. As usual, it will mature 50% in new oak.

Intense blackberry and chocolate aromas with plenty of ripe pips and spices. Medium body with fluidity and a sense of wonder to it. The quality of the tannins is so good as to be imperceptible. It has 30% more tannin than the 2022, but then it grows on the finish. pH 3.65 and 14.5% alcohol.

Gorgeous aromatic profile; a little herbal, inky almost, pencil led, crayon, floral notes of iris and violet, cool blue fruits, mint and fresh raspberry. Some definite stoney minerality on the nose - dark and smoky. Racy and alive, this has zing combined with a chalky graphite grip to the tannins. Fresh and clean, really well defined with tannins that give the structure but despite their presence they're so harmonious. This is just so good, really juicy, mouthwateringly so, but keeps the straight finesse all the way through. It’s soft and totally charming - not over the top at all, yet not discrete either. This has confidence and character. A balance of power and delicacy with a touch of flesh on the finish that gives an extra bounce and sense of enjoyment. A subtle and stealthy wine that sneaks up on you, leaving you wanting more by the finish. 3.65pH. An extra gram of tannins per litre of wine (4g) compared to 3g in 2022. Harvest September 11-20. A potential 100-point wine. (Drink between 2033-2055)

The 2023 Pétrus has a very open and expressive bouquet. Whereas in recent years it has taken time to unfurl in the glass, this is much more immediate, with raspberry, blackcurrant, iris flower and violet scents. Does it have the complexity of the previous vintage? I don't think so—not at this stage. The palate is very well structured with fine tannins, and you can tell that this is a Pétrus with heft and backbone. This is very precise on the finish, with touches of cracked black pepper, clove and a dab of dark chocolate. This is an excellent Pomerol, even if I feel that the 2022 has more…ambition. (Drink between 2028-2055)