2010 Pétrus, Pomerol (1.5L) (Pre-Arrival)

SKU #1067179 100 points James Suckling

This is extraordinary. It is just like 1989 (100 points for me) but it is even more refined and defined. It’s so deep and compelling. I put my nose in the glass and I knew it was perfection. Full, yet super refined. So so long. It just builds and builds with flavor, like a tiny light in the sky that becomes a falling star. It is phenomenal" 98-100 points Robert Parker: "One of the most concentrated and massive Petrus offerings I have ever tasted...Petrus has reduced its use of new oak over the last decade, now averaging under 50%. The 2010's dense purple color is followed by classic aromas of mulberries, black cherries, black currants, licorice, mocha, caramel and truffles. Full-bodied, multi-dimensional and impressively pure with high but sweet, well-integrated tannins, this 2010 should drink well for 30+ years. (4/ 2011)

100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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. (2/ 2013)

96-99 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(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. (6/ 2011)

96-98 points Wine Enthusiast

Hugely full-bodied wine, with the ripest fruit, black plum juice and spice. The tannins are very dense, balanced of course with acidity. The end is beautiful, structured. (6/ 2011)

97 points Wine Spectator

This feels dense and unyielding now, with loads of grip supporting a dark, muscular and very backward core of bay leaf, tobacco, plum, blackberry and fig notes. Powerful, fresh and racy, with a tarry edge adding vivacity and drive to the lengthy, raspberry-dominated finish. The raspberry spine seems destined to win out after extended cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2035. (3/ 2013)