Petrus - Pomerol 1998

Jamessuckling.com

100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe8/27/2013

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.

Wine Spectator

100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe10/31/2004

Fantastic. Dark ruby color with hints of purple. Glorious aromas of blackberry, tobacco, cedar and slightly wet earth. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a fabulous finish. This is subtle and refined. Wonderful length. Tasted side by side with the 2000 Pétrus, it is clearly better. Today, I give it two points higher than previous tastings. Perfection.--Pétrus vertical. Best after 2012.

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2001

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

Wine Advocate

97-100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2000

With a production of 2,300 cases and extremely low yields (35 hectoliters per hectare), it is not surprising that this is a virtually perfect Petrus. The color is an opaque black/purple. It is dense, rich, concentrated, and powerful. If the tannin achieves total integration, it will merit a perfect score. At present, this 1998 is enormous, with huge volume, an unctuous texture, sensational concentration, and a closed, muscular style. Notes of jammy black fruits, truffles, licorice, earth, and espresso become apparent as the wine sits in the glass. At present, this is a backward, immense Petrus that is powerful, tannic, and muscular. Nevertheless, every component is present for a long evolution of 40-50 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2045.

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999

At this early juncture, Petrus appears to be the unchallenged wine of the vintage. Two-thousand five-hundred cases were produced of this monster. I have rarely tasted a Petrus as powerful, concentrated, and tannic as the 1998. Readers expecting another 1990, 1989, or 1982 will be disappointed because this wine has much more in common with the 1975 and 1964 (I never tasted the 1964 in its youth). This is a burly, massive, port-like Petrus with ferocious levels of tannin, yet surreal levels of concentration and intensity. The Petrus character - thick, mocha, fudge, black cherry liqueur and sweet jammy fruit flavors - is presented in an enormously concentrated, massively endowed style. This fabulous wine will need at least 8-15 years of cellaring upon release. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040.