Petrus, Pomerol, 2025
Olivier Berrouet's Petrus 2025 is a masterpiece. From the very first regal waft, one knows one is tasting something rather special. Dazzling aromas of griotte cherry and cut flowers herald a profusion of flavours, this has so much dimension and expansion. Fresh but also very ripe - full fruit expression. Some sweet spice, waves of black cherry, seductive summer fruit and fine plums. This is so expansive and intricate, it expands upwards and outwards on the palate with no heaviness. Although 14.5% alcohol, there is a zen-like balance with all elements working in perfect harmony. The texture is just glorious and ultra dynamic. Like a balloon of Merlot that explodes softly and in slow motion across the palate. Quite unlike anything else. Utterly seductive and joyous.
critic reviews
The 2025 Petrus has an intense nose after several minutes. Black cherries, iodine and violet petals blossom in the glass, quite exuberant and vivacious, leaning more towards the opulent side of Pétrus. The palate is completely different, with peppery red fruit, firm tannins, spicier than recent vintages, insistent grip, but the final third reveals a sense of linearity or verticality. Quite a mercurial Petrus, certainly with a lot of structure that I suspect will come out more after bottling. I tried this from two types of glass, the smaller one focusing the aromatics. Over time, the 2025 reveals an unerring symmetry and persistence. Outstanding.
This shows a different depth and construction from many in the appellation, and here you truly see the impact of terroir. Intense aromatics, crushed red rose petals, so perfumed, then a pillow like texture with underlying grip and tension. On the palate expect dusted cocoa beans, cherries wrapped in chocolate, mint leaf, slate, crayon, olive pit, graphite, utterly delicious. All the elements that make a great Petrus are right here. 3.55ph, 20hl/h yield. 190 kilos of berries to get 100l of juice, compared to 135 kilos traditionally. Harvest started on August 28 on the young vines, then stopped and started again September 5, and finished September 11. Olivier Berrouet winemaker.
A wine of remarkable density and persistence, the 2025 Pétrus shows huge potential, unwinding in the glass with brooding aromas of sweet cherries, berries, violets and spices. Full-bodied, deep and layered, it's elegantly muscular, with prodigious levels of concentration, lively acids, sweet tannins and a long, palate-staining finish. It's a legend in the making that recalls the intensity of flavor of some of the great post-war Pétrus vintages.