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1966 Petrus
96 VM
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Review
The 1966 Petrus is often overshadowed by the 1961 and 1964, however, it remains a great vintage that has held up well. It has a much more reserved earthier bouquet than those aforementioned vintages, more black than red fruit infused with clove, autumn leaves and mahogany bureau. It is beautifully defined and noble, offering ash-like/fireside hearth scents with aeration. The palate is extremely well balanced with fine tannin that are slightly drier and more rigid than the 1964. That said, this bottle demonstrates more flesh than the previous one a couple of years back, a gentle sprinkling of white pepper towards the statesmanlike finish. This benefits from time in the glass, stretching its arms to reveal a deeper, slightly gripper Petrus than initially observed. Outstanding. Tasted at the Petrus dinner at Hide restaurant in London. Vinous Media
Vinous (Galloni) | 96 VM
Critic Reviews
The 1966 Petrus is often overshadowed by the 1961 and 1964, however, it remains a great vintage that has held up well. It has a much more reserved earthier bouquet than those aforementioned vintages, more black than red fruit infused with clove, autumn leaves and mahogany bureau. It is beautifully defined and noble, offering ash-like/fireside hearth scents with aeration. The palate is extremely well balanced with fine tannin that are slightly drier and more rigid than the 1964. That said, this bottle demonstrates more flesh than the previous one a couple of years back, a gentle sprinkling of white pepper towards the statesmanlike finish. This benefits from time in the glass, stretching its arms to reveal a deeper, slightly gripper Petrus than initially observed. Outstanding. Tasted at the Petrus dinner at Hide restaurant in London.
Vinous Media | 96 VM
Whilst I have tasted many vintages of Petrus, the 1966 Petrus is one that has eluded me. Finally, it appeared in a series of 1966s served blind and frankly, it's quality shone through long before its identity was revealed. You can consider this as the final great Petrus from the original vineyard, before absorbing part of Gazin in 1969. It revels in a stunning bouquet with graphite and bay leaf, as well as very intense black fruit that becomes almost Margaux-like with aeration. The palate is silky smooth with fine tannin, far more reserved and masculine than the 1964 Petrus, yet disarmingly focused and precise, hints of orange peel and morello cherry towards the pixelated finish. What a fabulous Pomerol, one that will last 15-20 years subject to provenance. Tasted April 2016.
Robert Parker Neal Martin | 95 RP-NM
Extremely decadent and rich, with masses of thick, earthy chocolate flavors. Very rich yet balanced. Much rounder than most 1966s.--Pétrus vertical. Drink now.
Wine Spectator | 93 WS
(Château Pétrus) I have not had tremendous success with the 1966 Pétrus on the five or six occasions that I have tasted the wine. It has always seemed to me to be plenty big enough, but rather short on complexity, breed, and the exotic Pétrus opulence and perfume that make great vintages of this Château such a treasure to taste. That said, this particular bottle (more forward?) was by a good measure the most interesting that I have tasted. The nose is deep and surprisingly complex, with scents of plums, chocolate malt, tobacco, woodsmoke, earth, and herb tones jumping from the glass. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and well-delineated, with a solid core of fruit, much better focus than most ’66 Pétrus I have had, and fine length and depth on the finish. It still does not display the exotic mulberry fruit and spice of vintages such as 1970, 1971 or 1975, but it is showing much more polish and personality than the rather stalwart and four-square bottles of this I had previously tasted. As Pétrus is one of the slowest wines to unfold in all of Bordeaux, it may well be that this wine has just remained as stubbornly closed as 1966 Latour. An impressive showing. (Drink between 2000-2030)
John Gilman | 92 JG
Vinous Media | 96 VM
Whilst I have tasted many vintages of Petrus, the 1966 Petrus is one that has eluded me. Finally, it appeared in a series of 1966s served blind and frankly, it's quality shone through long before its identity was revealed. You can consider this as the final great Petrus from the original vineyard, before absorbing part of Gazin in 1969. It revels in a stunning bouquet with graphite and bay leaf, as well as very intense black fruit that becomes almost Margaux-like with aeration. The palate is silky smooth with fine tannin, far more reserved and masculine than the 1964 Petrus, yet disarmingly focused and precise, hints of orange peel and morello cherry towards the pixelated finish. What a fabulous Pomerol, one that will last 15-20 years subject to provenance. Tasted April 2016.
Robert Parker Neal Martin | 95 RP-NM
Extremely decadent and rich, with masses of thick, earthy chocolate flavors. Very rich yet balanced. Much rounder than most 1966s.--Pétrus vertical. Drink now.
Wine Spectator | 93 WS
(Château Pétrus) I have not had tremendous success with the 1966 Pétrus on the five or six occasions that I have tasted the wine. It has always seemed to me to be plenty big enough, but rather short on complexity, breed, and the exotic Pétrus opulence and perfume that make great vintages of this Château such a treasure to taste. That said, this particular bottle (more forward?) was by a good measure the most interesting that I have tasted. The nose is deep and surprisingly complex, with scents of plums, chocolate malt, tobacco, woodsmoke, earth, and herb tones jumping from the glass. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and well-delineated, with a solid core of fruit, much better focus than most ’66 Pétrus I have had, and fine length and depth on the finish. It still does not display the exotic mulberry fruit and spice of vintages such as 1970, 1971 or 1975, but it is showing much more polish and personality than the rather stalwart and four-square bottles of this I had previously tasted. As Pétrus is one of the slowest wines to unfold in all of Bordeaux, it may well be that this wine has just remained as stubbornly closed as 1966 Latour. An impressive showing. (Drink between 2000-2030)
John Gilman | 92 JG
Wine Details for 1966 Petrus
| Type of Wine |
Bordeaux Red
: Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red |
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| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Country |
France
: Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive. |
Overview
| Producer |
Chateau Petrus
: What is today, perhaps one of the most recognized and iconic names in Pomerol, Bordeaux and the entire world of wine, once had a humble beginning. To think that Chateau Petrus was once considered unworthy of the dinner table and was thought to be merely a luncheon claret is baffling. Though the estate dates back to the 1750’s, making it one of the earliest established vineyards in Pomerol, it is also recognized as a “relatively new” producer as the modern era facilitated its elevation to elite status and helped stamp the Petrus name on every single wine platform in the world as being one of the most infamous producers in the history of winemaking. Despite being carved from Chateau Gazin, one of the most successful properties in Pomerol at the time, Petrus struggled to gain acceptance and worth during the mid-19th century. The Right Bank was studded with fantastic producers and Petrus was just simply unable to contend for a place at the dinner table let alone a status among Pomerol’s finest. Following the phylloxera attack that nearly devastated all of Bordeaux, the minute holdings of Petrus were replanted to mostly Merlot vines. This devastating event ended up becoming a blessing in disguise as the Chateau would begin to rise in fame, being recognized as a stunning wine with unique qualities. By the late 1800’s, it was considered the third best wine in Pomerol, behind only Vieux Chateau Certan and Chateau Trotanoy, which were the first and second best wines in the appellation, respectively. With its quality elevated and its fame rising, by 1887 Petrus had become recognized as the finest wine in Pomerol, and selling for more than any other wine in the appellation, and equivalent to that of Medoc Second Growths. The following years would continue to flourish for the estate and in 1940 the Loubat family who then owned the property would come into a contract with Jean-Pierre Mouiex; internationally renowned and had a visionary ideal of the potential of the Merlot grape in the best terroir. The collaboration of Mouiex and the Loubat family, who were also well versed in the Bordeaux trade, prospered and would be credited for elevating Petrus to the unequaled status that it very much enjoys today. Their collective vision was that Petrus was the greatest producer in the entire appellation, and worthy of demanding top dollar prices that would rival their competitive and esteemed neighbors. They were to prove this ideal by charging prices as high as the top Bordeaux from the Medoc. By 1978 Chateau Petrus was the most expensive wine in the entire Right Bank, selling for the same amount as the famous First Growths. Why shouldn’t it… as this wine had become an enigma; its main varietal of Merlot (and 100% Merlot as of 2010) was known to be delicate and soft textured and unable to age quite as long as other varietals. However, Mouiex inclined to state that when the Merlot grape is planted on the proper terroir and harvested at its peak it produces a wine that is characterized as voluptuous, generous and distinctive. It just so happens that Petrus rests on 11.5 hectares of the 20-hectare Pomerol Plateau which is composed of a unique, blue clay soil that is 40 million years old. This unique terroir allows the Merlot of Petrus to age effortlessly for 50 plus years, while some of the greatest vintages demand 20-30 years for them to mature and display their true essence. This is the reason collectors will spend thousands of dollars for a single bottle. It is a feat that was accomplished by a team that very much understood Bordeaux varietals, while respecting the unique terroir for which they were granted. Petrus is one of the longest lived Bordeaux wines and is recognized worldwide. The estate’s success has inspired the entire Right Bank to adopt Merlot, which is now widely used in the appellation today. It is interesting, yet incredibly impressive that Chateau Petrus went from a luncheon claret to one of the most celebrated wines in the world. The wines are elusive, highly sought after and demand patience, but for those who can add Petrus to their collection should be considered extremely fortunate, especially given there is a mere 2,500 cases produced annually. |
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