2010 Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux

Deep garnet coloured, the 2010 Petrus opens a little broody, with gently crushed rocks, a cast iron pan and fragrant earth notions giving way to core plum preserves, baked blueberries, liquorice and Black Forest cake plus wafts of pencil shavings, garrigue and violets. Full-bodied, the palate is beautifully poised with a firm line of exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness bolstering the generous fruit, finishing very long and very, very classy. Collectors fortunate enough to have a few bottles of this vintage are advised to be patient and allow it a further 7-10 years to loosen up and emerge gloriously from this rock-solid structure.Drink 2027 - 2070Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020)

This a Petrus with extraordinary balance and depth. It shows such elegance in the nose with complexity of black olives, dark fruits, and flowers. The palate is full and ultra-velvety yet there is a cashmere quality to the texture. It takes your breath away. There's almost a Burgundian quality in the mouthfeel meaning it takes you deep into the soil and captivates your attention. Greatest modern vintage of Petrus ever?Try after 2018james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (February 2013)

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.Someone told me recently that Petrus had a second wine, so I asked Olivier Berrouet, their young, talented administrator, whether that was true, and he flatly denied it, so if any Asian wine buyers are running across second wines of Petrus in Hong Kong or on mainland China, be warned – they are not genuine. Proprietor Jean Moueix, who I believe is in his late twenties, has taken over for his father, Jean-Francois, who has largely retired, and the younger Moueix has really pushed quality even higher at this renowned estate. Anyone visiting Pomerol would have undoubtedly noticed the renovations at Petrus, as it was once one of the most modest and humble buildings in the appellation.Moreover, I suspect that multi-millionaire/billionaire collectors will have about 50 years to debate over which vintage of Petrus turns out better, the 2009 or 2010. In a perfect world, most people would love to have a few bottles of each, or at least the opportunity to taste them once in a while, as they have become more of a myth than something real, but these wines do, in fact, exist!Drink 2021 - 2071Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate (February 2013)

14.5% alcohol; 100% merlot; 50% new oak.Good, fully saturated ruby. The 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 flavours, but this very densely packed Petrus manages to remain light on its feet. Saturates the entire mouth, finishing with very creamy tannins and a 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 was 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.Ian D'Agata, Vinous.com.com (May 2011)

Fully saturated ruby. Knockout aromas of fresh black cherry, blackcurrant, exotic herbs, coffee and menthol, plus a hint of minerality. Juicy, fruit-driven flavours of dark berries and cherry are complicated by cocoa, vanilla and graphite and given laser-like precision by vibrant, harmonious acidity. Manages to be both fleshy and acidic at the same time, demonstrating uncanny depth and complexity of flavour. This strikes me as deeper and longer than the already magnificent 2009: it may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage. These two wines from Petrus make for an outstanding, back-to-back pair of vintages.Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com.com (July 2013)

Maybe surprising to see a Pomerol that is so well-built that it is not anywhere near ready even at 10 years old, but this is Pétrus, a place that writes its own rules. The brushed silk exuberance is there but hidden underneath a still-pulsating wall of tannins. You expect this level of concentration in Pauillac, so it is more of a surprise on the Right Bank, but here you are in no doubt that 2010 is an intellectual, demanding vintage that needs to be given time. You need to look to 2009 Pétrus to begin enjoying any time soon - this is structured, full of dark fruits, structured, savagely built, out to impress.Drink 2025 - 2050jane_anson_mw, Decanter.com (January 2020)

The 2010 Petrus has an extraordinary bouquet, ineffably complex with brambly red fruit, sous-bois, dried blood and wild mint aromas that unfurl magically from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and generous, yet amazingly controlled with such tension and grace on the silky smooth finish. This is a fantastic Petrus, one of the greatest in recent years.Drink 2025 - 2060Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (April 2020)

A distinguished wine by Chateau Petrus . Precise, honest without surfeit. A natural expression of the cru. Affirmed structure and length but tannins suave and refined. Lovely fruit expression. Harmonious. Compelling now but long ageing. More 'classical' than '09.

100% Merlot. Very deep crimson indeed. Right out to the rim. Hugely intense and succulent. Really muscular and concentrated. Very firm indeed. Good richness to begin with. Lightly bitter on the end. Wonderful texture. Creamy, with real minerals and lushness on the nose. Great vivacity. jancis_robinson_mw MW- jancis_robinson_mw.com, Apr 2011)

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. Someone told me recently that Petrus had a second wine, so I asked Olivier Berrouet, their young, talented administrator, whether that was true, and he flatly denied it, so if any Asian wine buyers are running across second wines of Petrus in Hong Kong or on mainland China, be warned they are not genuine. Proprietor Jean Moueix, who I believe is in his late twenties, has taken over for his father, Jean-Francois, who has largely retired, and the younger Moueix has really pushed quality even higher at this renowned estate. Anyone visiting Pomerol would have undoubtedly noticed the renovations at Petrus, as it was once one of the most modest and humble buildings in the appellation. Moreover, I suspect that multi-millionaire/billionaire collectors will have about 50 years to debate over which vintage of Petrus turns out better, the 2009 or 2010. In a perfect world, most people would love to have a few bottles of each, or at least the opportunity to taste them once in a while, as they have become more of a myth than something real, but these wines do, in fact, exist! (100 robert_parker - Wine Advocate - Feb 2013) One of the most concentrated and massive Petrus offerings I have ever tasted, yields in 2010 were 35 hectoliters per hectare and the grapes were harvested between September 27 and October 2. The wine achieved 14.5% natural alcohol versus the 14.4% that was attained in 2009. 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. (98-100 robert_parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011)

The Château Pétrus Pomerol 2010 is tightly wound still, with lots of briar, Linzer and spicecake notes. A nice dark licorice snap note laces up the finish. There’s lots of grip here—it’s a more structured version of Merlot than the sleek, fruit-driven Le Pin for example. But it shows a mouthwatering, pebbly feel that should unwind slowly over a long stretch of time. (james_molesworth - Wine Spectator - 30 Mar 2011)

Jean-François rather than Christian Moueix was managing this property – since 2009.Very lustrous dark crimson. Intense meaty, tarry nose. Much fleshier than Le Pin. Sweet and spicy on top, savoury and rather well constructed underneath. This should have a particularly long drinking window. Not especially opulent for Petrus.Drink 2018 - 2048jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com (February 2020)

The youthful yet outrageously talented Olivier Berrouet has really made his mark with his second vintage in sole charge. This wine seems more assured than the 2009, with subtle oak integration, a gloriously aromatic nose, spicy red fruits, medium weight tannins and a taut, minerally finish tying the whole package together like a huge silk bow. A wine that favours finesse over extraction. The price will be bonkers, but this is a stunning Pomerol.Tim Atkin MW, TimAtkin.com (May 2011)