(14.5% alcohol; 100% merlot; 50% new oak) Good, fully saturated ruby. Complex, brooding nose offers aromas of ripe plum, blackberry jam, violet, cocoa syrup and Oriental spices; though deep and opulent, the nose is much less forward and exotic than either the 2008 or 2009. The palate offers outstanding intensity to the blackcurrant, cocoa and spice flavors, but this very densely packed Petrus manages to remain light on its feet. Saturates the entire mouth, finishing with very creamy tannins and great lift. A big wine that reminded me of the 1975. Jean-Claude Berrouet liked this comparison, noting that both vintages produced berries with the same thick skins, and wines with similar acidity levels, but pointed out that the 2010 is less accessible than the 1975 was at the same stage of development. There's also more alcohol in the 2010. Wine lovers with very deep pockets might want to take note that the '09 (the wine of that vintage, in my book) and '10 Petrus are this property's best back-to-back duo in some time.

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100% Merlot. Very deep crimson indeed. Right out to the rim. Hugely intense and succulent. Really muscular and concentrated. Very firm indeed. Good richness to begin with. Lightly bitter on the end. Wonderful texture. Creamy, with real minerals and lushness on the nose. Great vivacity.

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The harvest at Petrus took place between September 27 and October 12, and the 2010 finished at 14.1% natural alcohol, which is slightly lower than the 2009's 14.5%. The 2010 reminds me somewhat of the pre-1975 vintages of Petrus, a monster-in-the-making, with loads of mulberry, coffee, licorice and black cherry notes with an overlay of enormous amounts of glycerin and depth. Stunningly rich, full-bodied and more tannic and classic than the 2009, this is an awesome Petrus, but probably needs to be forgotten for 8-10 years. It should last at least another 50 or more.

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