Chateau Petrus 1998

JAMES SUCKLING: "The 1998 Petrus goes from strength to strength as it ages. It's a perfect wine and the wine of the vintage with Le Pin and Cheval Blanc. I was lucky enough to drink some over the weekend when a friend brought a bottle to dinner. It was stunning. It's so deep and characterful yet refined and subtle. It showed aromas of wet earth, mushrooms and dark fruits. Dry black olives came out as well. Full body, firm tannins and bright acidity. Very fresh and just opening up now. Walnut and chocolate character. So youthful. Decant two or three hours before serving."

DECANTER: "Richly scented like you wouldn't believe; earthy truffle, black olive and rosemary fill the glass and don’t let up right through the palate, providing waves of first aroma then flavour. The vintage plays to all of Petrus’ strengths; a classic Merlot year that here combines velvety soft-edged tannins, caressing and cushioning the abundant black cherry, blackberry and bilberry fruit. Traces of campfire, mocha and liquorice are shot through every mouthful, and this is just so good. A small yield meant just 2,400 cases [of 12]. Drinking Window 2021 - 2032"

FALSTAFF: "Verführerisches Bukett mit Eindrücken von schwarzen Früchten, Mokka, Karamell und Kirsche; supereleganter Körper, seidige Fruchtfülle, feinrassig, lange nachklingend, absolut überzeugend."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Green olives and blackberry jam, with hints of vanilla and Indian spices. Some dark chocolate too. Complex nose. Very full-bodied, with dense, dark fruits and a licorice undertone, yet the huge tannin structure is polished and almost seamless. A massive and powerful wine, yet balanced and refined. Fantastic. Just a beautiful baby still.—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2012."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 1998 Petrus is unquestionably a fabulous effort boasting a dense plum/purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of black fruits intermixed with caramel, mocha, and vanilla. Exceptionally pure, super-concentrated, and extremely full-bodied, with admirable underlying acidity as well as sweet tannin, it reveals a superb mid-palate in addition to the luxurious richness for which this great property is known. The finish lasts for 40-45 seconds. Patience will definitely be required. Production was 2,400 cases, about 1,600 cases less than normal. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2040"

WEINWISSER: "Dunkel, dicht, mit dezent schwarzen Reflexen. Schon in der Nase perfekt. Schwarze Pflaumen, Cassis, Trüffel, rauchigen, schwarzbeerigen Merlot zeigend, kompakt, gross. Präsentiert sich wie ein Eisberg – fast alles ist irgendwie unten. Im Gaumen fest, perfekt gegliedert, kompakt, mit einer genialen Adstringenz. Eine Pétrus-Legende für ein halbes Jahrhundert!"

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very dark. Quite tight on the nose. A little modest on the finish without the great breadth of richness one expects from this wine. Not an outstanding bottle. Very subdued."