Wine: 1998 La Fleur Petrus
Region: Bordeaux
Sokolin Price: $195/btl
Rating: 92 RP
With the 2009 Bordeaux Futures campaign in full swing, we can't seem to get our minds away from Bordeaux. It's all the rage right now and is likely to command a lot of attention for the next two months. While we've seen some of the smaller to mid-sized chateaux release their 2009 vintage, we still await the release of all the big names of fine wine, including the first growths.
We decided to try a bottle of 1998 La Fleur Petrus in anticipation of selling the 2009 vintage of this wine. La Fleur Petrus comes from the Pomerol region, and the 1998 vintage is considered to be one of the most outstanding Right Bank vintages. La Fleur Petrus, also owned by the Moueix Family (they also own the famed Chateau Petrus), is a spell-binding wine that screams quality.
Paired with a very simple meal including grilled angus sirloin burgers and stuffed baked potatoes, we began to dissect the subtle elements of this rather complex and sexy wine. With just a few sips, it's easy to taste the longevity packed inside it. It was powerful with the right balance of tannin, acidity and ripe red fruit. We were shocked at how young the wine really tasted. It is easy to say that this wine has many years left. In fact, it has not even begun to peak. In his April 2001 review, Robert Parker said that the 1998 La Fleur Petrus is "the finest La Fleur-Petrus I have tasted..."
However, according to Parker, the 2009 vintage is so incredible that it even surpasses the 1998 vintage! Robert Parker gave the 2009 La Fleur Petrus 96-98 points with an asterisk (*), which is the first time he's ever awarded asterisks to wine scores! Asterisks were placed next to wines when Parker "...thought a wine had the finest potential of all the offerings [he] had ever tasted from that estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux." - Robert Parker
Of the 2009 La Fleur Petrus, Parker said, "A mind-boggling effort, this is the finest La Fleur Petrus I have ever tasted. Layers and layers of black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, truffles, and earth are found in this dense ruby/purple-colored elixir...it should drink well for three decades or more."
We are expecting to sell 2009 La Fleur Petrus very soon, and are expecting it to be priced around $250/btl. With a barrel score of 96-98* points from Parker, it seems to be quite a bargain compared to the 1998 vintage with 92 points and priced in the $200 range.
Our recommendation: Whether you decide to buy the 1998 or 2009 vintage of La Fleur Petrus, both are great Bordeaux buys! The 1998 vintage of the Right Bank is considered to be one of the finest ever, and the 2009 La Fleur Petrus, well, the Robert Parker review of this wine speaks volumes.