PETRUS 2003

Petrus

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Known as one of the most expensive and prestigious wines on the planet, Petrus is one of the few Bordeaux wines that does not use the "château" designation. While in Pomerol, wines are not classified, connoisseurs and professionals alike would readily grant Petrus the title of "Super Premier Cru" if it existed. Petrus is not a château. It is a unique terroir: the vineyard is situated on a clay mound where the Merlot grape gives its best. It's an iconic wine, as rare (about 30,000 bottles per year) as it is sought after: the elusive vintage that only a select few have the privilege of savoring.

History of the Château

The first known owners of Petrus were the Arnaud family, who held the estate from the 1830s until the end of World War I.
The name is believed to originate from the location where the vineyards are rooted: Saint Pierre (Petrus in Latin). Saint Pierre, the keeper of the keys to paradise, is depicted on the label.

Petrus was already recognized as a fine wine, but its fame took off with the arrival of the Moueix family in 1964.

One of their first actions was to expand the vineyard by 5 hectares, purchasing vines from Château Gazin, thereby increasing the size of this small estate to 11.5 hectares.

The unique terroir partly explains the exceptional quality of Petrus.
The vines are planted on blue clay which absorbs water and releases it drop by drop: the Merlot thrives wonderfully here.

The vineyard work is meticulous throughout the year (thinning, leaf removal) and the entire harvest is collected in two afternoons. Fermentations are carried out in thermoregulated cement vats and the wine is aged in new barrels.

In 2014, a new wine cellar, designed by architect Jean-Pierre Errath, was built.

Petrus is now among the most sought-after wines in the world. Its unique terroir and the people who have skillfully enhanced it make Petrus a unique and exceptional vintage, a legend…