2008 Petrus

Rich, fruit-cake aromas and gentle spiciness. Earth and mushroom on the palate. Medium body, soft tannic texture. Concentrated and lengthy – the best may still be yet to come. (RH)

The 2008 Petrus has a classic Pomerol nose, perhaps darker fruit than other vintages, blackberry and briary, a touch of truffle and minerals. I love the definition here, the cool restraint. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a fine bead of acidity, chalky and tensile with moderate depth. There is a sense of composure, maybe even conservatism attached to this Petrus that sports a mineral-driven and (at least for this Pomerol) almost austere finish compared to the 2009 or 2010. But it is a lovely wine that is only just beginning to open. Haunting. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)

Dark crimson with some development. The fruit is a little overripe. But there is an attractive savoury edge to this wine which is clearly very complex. Lots of density but it just lacks a little bit of natural freshness. Very well done. (JR)