Chateau Petrus   Petrus

2002 Petrus

By Chateau Petrus

2002 Petrus from Château Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux

The 2002 Petrus from Château Petrus stands as a testament to the resilience and masterful winemaking that defines this iconic Pomerol estate. Despite facing a challenging vintage with unpredictable weather patterns, the adept hands behind Château Petrus have sculpted a wine that eloquently articulates the terroir of this celebrated region.

 

A Vintage Defined by Precision and Care

The 2002 season in Bordeaux was one of contrasts, with a damp, cool August followed by an unexpectedly dry and sunny September. This eleventh-hour reprieve granted the Merlot grapes, the sole varietal in Petrus, sufficient time to reach adequate maturity, developing depth and complexity. The astute decision to delay harvest until conditions were optimal reflects in the well-structured palate offered by this vintage.

Inky purple in its youth, age has now draped the 2002 Petrus in robes of garnet, signaling mature notes of truffle, leather, and wet earth—signature markers of Pomerol’s iron-rich clay. These mingle harmoniously with preserved hints of black cherry and plum, reminders of the wine’s noble pedigree.

 

Investing in a Prodigy of Challenging Conditions

Critics agree that the 2002 vintage from top estates like Château Petrus reveals wines that outperform expectations, crafting an investment narrative defined by rarity and triumph over adversity. This translates to exclusive opportunities for investors looking to add a gem to their collection—one that encapsulates both storied heritage and vinicultural prowess.

A poised balance between robust tannin structure and a seamless, velvety finish makes the 2002 Petrus a formidable addition to any discerning portfolio. Its remarkable grace under pressure entices investors and connoisseurs alike, promising continued evolution in the bottle for those with the patience to witness its unfolding splendor.

In essence, the 2002 Petrus delivers not only a taste of Château Petrus' uncompromising standards but also a storied chapter of Bordeaux history. It remains one of those unique wines that speak volumes about its origin and continues to shine as a distinctive expression from one of Pomerol's most cherished terroirs.

Current market price

£31,500.00

12x75cl

Highest score

91

POP score

2863.64

Scores and tasting notes

91+

Tasted blind at Farr's 2002 Bordeaux tasting. It is difficult to get my head around this nose, with ripe black cherries, plum and damson on one side, but a touch of greenness on the other. However, the palate is superb: very harmonious with sensuous, filigree tannins, quite conservative and reserved with a touch of liquorices and sous-bois on the finish. When I discovered this was Petrus, I am convinced this wine is at an awkward, adolescent stage and so should not be touched for another 3-4 years, by which time it should coalesce. Tasted October 2009.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jan 2010

90

A relatively strong effort for this vintage, but hardly one of the profound examples of Petrus, this wine exhibits a dark plum color and a somewhat monolithic, foursquare personality with notes of plums, black cherries, licorice, and some herbs and damp earth. Medium-bodied, muscular, and tannic, but lacking some charm and sweetness, it should age nicely for 12-15 more years and possibly be even better than my score. Readers who buy it should not even attempt opening a bottle for at least 4-5 years.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 28 April 2005

Vintage performance