Petrus - Pomerol | French Red Wine

The most expensive wine in all of Bordeaux had a very humble beginning. Compared to the top Bordeaux wines in the Medoc, it’s also a relatively new producer. Research shows the oldest records regarding the history of Petrus goes all the way back to the mid 1750’s, making it one of the earliest established vineyards in Pomerol.
The first reference is for a transaction with Jacques Meyraud when he purchased some Pomerol vineyard property located at Gazin, from the Voisin family. This is interesting as well as prophetic, because a few hundred years later, Chateau Gazin once again sold some of their best land to Petrus.
The 11.5 hectare Petrus vineyard is planted to 100% Merlot. During the 1990’s and into the 2000’s, about 1/2 a hectare was reserved for Cabernet Franc, making the vineyard plantings about 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. However, the Cabernet Franc was not used in most vintages.
In fact, since, 1982, the variety has only been included every third or fourth year. Today, all the Cabernet Franc vines have been remove and replaced with Merlot. This is quite different than what Petrus was planted to in the 1960’s and 1950’s, and perhaps before that. In those days, Petrus was planted closer to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
The style of Petrus is unique. It can be the most aromatically complex wine of Pomerol, filled with spice, coffee, cinnamon, chocolate, plums, dark cherries, truffles, wet earth and fresh flowers. In the best vintages, the texture is other worldly. It has a richness and viscosity, as well as silk and velvet feel that no other Bordeaux wine can offer.