1996 Petrus
By Chateau Petrus
1996 Petrus from Château Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux
The 1996 Petrus from the esteemed Château Petrus in Bordeaux's illustrious Pomerol region stands tall as a testament to a vintage that persevered through challenging weather conditions. This was a year that began with trepidation, dominated by late winter frosts and a temperamental spring. Yet, as the season advanced, a dry and sunny late summer provided a benevolent window for ripening the merlot grapes to their quintessential best.
Pursuit of Perfection: The 1996 Vintage
What sets the 1996 Petrus apart is its remarkable triumph over adversity. Crafting stellar vintages in less than ideal conditions is a hallmark of skilled vignerons—and the team at Château Petrus demonstrated their adeptness this year. This particular vintage reveals how meticulously executed vineyard management, alongside precise picking times, can result in an offering that epitomizes both power and elegance in the face of climatic challenges.
The wine itself bedazzles with an intricate bouquet of black truffle, ripe cherries, and a hint of earthy decadence. It possesses an enviable balance between robust tannins and harmonious acidity, leading to a long, lingering finish—a true hallmark of premium Pomerol merlot.
A Strategic Addition to Any Wine Investment Portfolio
For connoisseurs and investors alike, the 1996 Petrus presents not just a bottled history of endurance but also an asset of potential appreciating value. Its scarcity and provenance make it an alluring addition to curated wine investment collections—one where the narrative of its vintage is as compelling as its flavor profile.
Embracing the wisdom that time bestows grace upon great wine, this vintage has matured with dignity into its current plateau of drinking pleasure. It commands respect not only for its current allure but also for its future promise—a nuance that seasoned investors recognize. The 1996 Petrus is, indeed, an exemplar of Pomerol's tenacity woven seamlessly with Château Petrus' reputation for exceptional winemaking.
In summary, we find that the essence of this wine ties gracefully with both the story it holds within each bottle, and its capacity to evolve within both the glass and market. The 1996 Petrus from Château Petrus is undeniably one of those rare wines that tell a tale worth savoring—both on the palate and within the portfolio.
Market price (USD)
$27,590.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
1883.33
Scores and tasting notes
Proprietor Christian Moueix's 1996s have turned out well in the bottle. The 1996 Petrus is a big, monolithic, foursquare wine with an impressively opaque purple color, and sweet berry fruit intermixed with earth, pain grille, and coffee scents. Full-bodied and muscular, with high levels of tannin, and a backward style, this wine (less than 50% of the production was bottled as Petrus) will require patience. It is a mammoth example. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 1999
Served blind at the “Antique Wine Company” Left vs. Right Bank tasting, I was disappointed with this wine (albeit from a challenging vintage for the Pomerolais.) If I could sum it up, it is like a Petrus with a flat tyre and so no matter how hard it tries to pedal, it does not go anywhere. There is a palpable flatness to the nose that is denuded of fruite, whilst the palate has a rather stern entry, gritty tannins and a dry, slightly mean finish. It is by no means a poor wine, but it is a disappointing Petrus even taking into account the challenging growing season, so my advice is stick to the infinitely superior 1995. Tasted November 2011.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Mar 2012