2013 Petrus
By Chateau Petrus
2013 Petrus from Château Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux
The 2013 Petrus from the revered Château Petrus presents itself as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that defines this prestigious estate, especially given the challenging conditions of the 2013 vintage in Bordeaux. That year's capricious climate yielded wines that have now emerged as a showcase for winemakers' resilience and finesse.
A Resilient Vintage Berthed by Craftsmanship
In stark contrast to more hailed vintages, the 2013 Petrus carries with it the triumphs of expert viticulture and precision-driven vinification. The wet and cool season of Pomerol necessitated a vigilant selection in the vineyard, an act where Château Petrus illustrates its unwavering commitment to excellence regardless of providence's curveballs. While this vintage required patience, it heralds a certain purity of fruit – a less opulent profile, perhaps, but nuanced and intricate nonetheless.
The wine’s bouquet wafts with layers of dark berries nuanced by an earthy truffle undertone, guiding one’s senses to a palate where merlot expresses itself with poise rather than power. Minerality finds its voice amidst supple tannins—a nod to the iron-rich terroir of Pomerol—as it dallies on the finish with subtle hints of licorice and redcurrant resonating with an elegant restraint.
Pomerol's Whispers of Potential
For investors and collectors alike, the 2013 Petrus from Château Petrus represents an opportunity to embrace the oft-overlooked prospects that lie within Bordeaux's more demanding years. It is a vintage that echoes the true spirit of Pomerol—resilience, elegance, and character—encapsulated in a single bottle.
Admittedly, this is a Petrus that speaks in whispers rather than shouts; yet within these whispers lies a narrative of a vintage surmounted—where each sip revels in the triumph against adversity embodied by one of Bordeaux’s most exemplary names. It makes for an astute addition to any discerning collector's portfolio, not just as an investment but also as a chronicle of Château Petrus's constancy in quality, irrespective of seasonal whims.
In summary, while 2013 may not be crowned as one of Bordeaux’s greatest hits on record, it will surely be remembered as a year where Château Petrus’s resolve was commendably showcased. The 2013 Petrus is indeed one for the perceptive investor, attuned to value inherent in rarity and story rather than just fame alone.
Market price (USD)
$30,760.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
2100
Scores and tasting notes
The 2013 is a star of the vintage. It exhibits a dense purple color along with deep mulberry, black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with a notion of licorice. Medium-bodied with supple tannins, it reminds me of their over-achieving 1973 in its youth (a wine that transcended the vintage character). The lovely, seductive, fruit-forward 2013 will be drinkable in several years and last 10-15 years thereafter.
The harvest took place on October 2-3, and tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare have produced only 1,000 cases (rather than the normal 2,000-3,000). While winemaker and administrator Olivier Berrouet told me 300 vines of Cabernet Franc remain in the vineyard, for all intents and purposes, Petrus has been 100% Merlot for many years.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014
The 2013 Petrus was bottled in June 2015, a month before I visited the property to taste with winemaker, Olivier Berrouet. "The idea was to not push too much," he told me. "We didn't use too much wood - around 45% new oak. It would be 55% in a good vintage. The pH is 3.55 and it has 13.5% alcohol." It has quite a deep colour for a 2013, very clear and lucid. The nose is undeniably very attractive, gently unfolding with black cherries, iodine, pot pourri and a touch of bilberry. The aromatics are gentle and unassuming, yet still very Pomerol and still very Petrus. The palate is medium-bodied and for a 2013 it is certainly well structured, the tannins imparting a grainy mouthfeel. At the moment it feels saline in the mouth, fresh and with absolutely no sign of greenness. It is a successful wine within the context of the 2013 vintage and I appreciated the sharpness on what you might call its "clinical" finish. There is not so much in the way of persistence here and it departs out the exit door swiftly rather than abruptly. No, it is not the best Petrus ever made, not by a long chalk, nevertheless it is undoubtedly better than off-vintages in the past such as the 1986 and 1996. Tasted July 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 October 2016