Chateau Petrus   Petrus

2003 Petrus

By Chateau Petrus

2003 Petrus from Château Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux

As sophisticated fine wine investors cast their discerning eyes back over the annals of Bordeaux's prestigious Pomerol appellation, certain vintages leap forth with the promise of opulence and a whisper of vinous history in each bottle. The 2003 Petrus from Château Petrus is precisely such a souvenir from time—a potent testament to the resilience and ingenuity that define this small yet mighty parcel of the winemaking world.

 

Exceptional Vintage Amidst Adversity

The year 2003 was marked by Herculean climatic challenges that tested even the most venerable vineyards of Bordeaux. An unprecedented heatwave culminated in one of the earliest harvests on record. Yet, amidst these fiery trials emerged a Petrus that defies the very circumstances of its creation. With a deep garnet hue ensnaring the eye and a complex bouquet of truffles, dark chocolate, and black cherry seducing the nose, one immediately comprehends the depth of character achieved by this wine.

In the procession from nose to palate, an enchanting symphony awaits—the lush, concentrated flavors of ripe plum and blackcurrant seamlessly integrate with an undercurrent of earthy minerality reflective of Pomerol’s iconic terroir. The soils’ natural coolness lent balance to this vintage during that sweltering summer, as did skilled vinification practices tailored to vinous excellence amidst adversity. With robust tannins now velvety after years in bottle and a finish that lingers like the final reverberations of a concert hall, 2003 Petrus offers a drinking experience both profound and harmonious.

 

Investment Merit With Timeless Appeal

A pinnacle for collectors seeking to diversify their portfolios with wines demonstrating extraordinary adaptability—the 2003 Petrus stands as one of Pomerol's most intriguing enigmas. It reveals not only the character inherent to exceptional vintages but showcases Château Petrus' unwavering commitment to finesse under pressure. In an engaging dance between fruit and structure, freshness and maturity, this wine not only tells its own story but also speaks to the tenacity so prized in investment-grade bottles.

The beguiling nuances and historical significance of this vintage command attention both in the glass and upon the balance sheet—an asset imbued with remarkable potential for ongoing desirability and value appreciation in both sensorial and financial realms. For those intent on acquiring a slice of Bordeaux history molded by the sun’s fury yet cradled by expert hands, the 2003 Petrus from Château Petrus represents an unrivaled choice.

Current market price

£29,060.00

12x75cl

Highest score

95

POP score

1937.33

Scores and tasting notes

95+

Fleshy, fat, and already sexy, the dark plum/purple-tinged 2003 Petrus is exceptionally ripe and rich. While not as exotic as its rival, Lafleur, it is rich, heady, and loaded. A tour de force in winemaking for Pomerol, it vindicates Christian Moueix’s decision to harvest nearly all his Merlot on September 3 and 4, and the Cabernet Franc on September 17. However, production is tiny ... less than 1,700 cases. Full-bodied, powerful, and exceptionally pure without losing its nobility and elegance, this stunning Petrus can be drunk in 2-3 years or cellared for three decades.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #164 April 2006

95

Tasted at Bordeaux Index’s “10-Year On” tasting in London. The bouquet on the Petrus 2003 seems slight disjointed at first – in fact, I spent a few minutes ascertaining with there might be a touch of TCA? Eventually it pulls itself together and offers attractive aromas of wild strawberry, cloves, cedar and bay leaf. The definition is impressive for the vintage and that is translated on the palate, which is fresh and lively, underpinned by fine, slightly edgy tannins. Petrus clearly is on a different track in this vintage with a sense of symmetry and poise that is atypical. This illustrates how those smectite clays of Petrus can nurture a singular wine. Tasted March 2013.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013

93

An early September harvest in this hot year produced a 2003 that has reached full maturity. It offers notes of roasted coffee, melted chocolate, figs and black cherry jam. There are some rustic tannins in the finish, but this expansive, rich Petrus displays far more intensity and complexity than most expected given the difficulties in Pomerol in 2003. It should be consumed over the next 4-6 years.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 27 August 2014

Vintage performance