1 half-bottles per lot
Details
CHÂTEAU PÉTRUS
So recent is Pétrus' fame that at the end of the war with the remarkable 1945 vintage safely in barrel, hardly a buyer of Médoc wine even knew about this obscure little estate near Libourne. The great post-war champion of Pomerol - indeed Pétrus - was the late Ronald Avery, head of Avery's of Bristol. Buy buying up much of the post-war vintages up to 1955, some in bottle, others in cask, he setforth on a plan to put Pétrus and Pomerol in the minds of fine wine buyers. The next major personality to complement the efforts of Avery is the legendary négociant Jean-Pierre Moueix, the sole agent for Pétrus since 1947, who in 1961 inherited a portion of the estate (the balance went to two nieces of the late owner, Madame Loubat). Three years later Moueix purchased one of the nieces' share and effectively became the man in charge. It is Jean-Pierre's son, Christian that now runs the estate and who is the face of Pétrus to the world.
The secret to Pétrus begins in the small Merlot dominated vineyard, which since the mid-60s has largely been a monocépage wine. Prior to that it was not unusual to see 20 Cabernet Franc as part of the blend. If you've not experienced Pétrus, then know that is it an incredibly concentrated wine. Old vines, low yields, concrete vats and long maceration in part make it so. With this concentration comes power, however not austerely tannic as can be expected from Mouton or Latour. Pétrus is profoundly rich and full, sturdy, with enormous fruit, so much so that it dominates the tannins, the oak and at times the taster. Of the vintages below the 1964 is reputed to still have "bags of life", the 1966 is often considered to be a "true bordeaux lover's wine" and the bookend vintages 1970/1971 and 1978/1979 are vinous monuments that have stood the test of time and are now at their mighty peak of drinkability.
Château Pétrus--Vintage 1953
Pomerol, cru exceptionnel
Level: upper/top shoulder; bin soiled labels
"In 1990 a lively fragrance, firm though beginning to show a touch of end acidity. Most recently, a perfect magnum at the Eigensatz tasting in Wiesbaden. Last tasted May 1993. At best *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 half-bottles per lot
So recent is Pétrus' fame that at the end of the war with the remarkable 1945 vintage safely in barrel, hardly a buyer of Médoc wine even knew about this obscure little estate near Libourne. The great post-war champion of Pomerol - indeed Pétrus - was the late Ronald Avery, head of Avery's of Bristol. Buy buying up much of the post-war vintages up to 1955, some in bottle, others in cask, he setforth on a plan to put Pétrus and Pomerol in the minds of fine wine buyers. The next major personality to complement the efforts of Avery is the legendary négociant Jean-Pierre Moueix, the sole agent for Pétrus since 1947, who in 1961 inherited a portion of the estate (the balance went to two nieces of the late owner, Madame Loubat). Three years later Moueix purchased one of the nieces' share and effectively became the man in charge. It is Jean-Pierre's son, Christian that now runs the estate and who is the face of Pétrus to the world.
The secret to Pétrus begins in the small Merlot dominated vineyard, which since the mid-60s has largely been a monocépage wine. Prior to that it was not unusual to see 20 Cabernet Franc as part of the blend. If you've not experienced Pétrus, then know that is it an incredibly concentrated wine. Old vines, low yields, concrete vats and long maceration in part make it so. With this concentration comes power, however not austerely tannic as can be expected from Mouton or Latour. Pétrus is profoundly rich and full, sturdy, with enormous fruit, so much so that it dominates the tannins, the oak and at times the taster. Of the vintages below the 1964 is reputed to still have "bags of life", the 1966 is often considered to be a "true bordeaux lover's wine" and the bookend vintages 1970/1971 and 1978/1979 are vinous monuments that have stood the test of time and are now at their mighty peak of drinkability.
Château Pétrus--Vintage 1953
Pomerol, cru exceptionnel
Level: upper/top shoulder; bin soiled labels
"In 1990 a lively fragrance, firm though beginning to show a touch of end acidity. Most recently, a perfect magnum at the Eigensatz tasting in Wiesbaden. Last tasted May 1993. At best *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 half-bottles per lot