1995 Château Petrus

The 1995 Petrus is one of the finest vintages of the decade, a silver medal behind the brilliant 1998. This bottle might well constitute the best that I have encountered. It has a beautiful, focused nose with hints of game and humidor infusing the black fruit. With aeration more red fruit becomes evident, allied with a touch of roasted chestnut. The palate is supremely well balanced, slightly gamey and with impressive grip. There is a bit of chutzpah about this Petrus, the way in which it fans out towards the finish. You could broach bottles now, although this example suggests that it is going to be very interesting to follow over the next 20 years. Tasted at the Petrus dinner at Hide restaurant in London.

- Neal Martin (01/2019)

This is like a genie in the bottle. Fascinating yet subtle aromas of blackberry, minerals, fresh flowers and Spanish cedar. Full-bodied, with wonderful layers of ultrafine tannins. It coats your mouth and tantalizes your palate. A gorgeous thing all around.

- (03/2007)

Poured at lunch with Jean-Francois Moueix and Jean-Claude Berrouet, this is a beautiful Petrus that has reached its drinking plateau. The nose is generous, very expressive, blossoming with black fruits, cooked meats, a touch of hung game and leather, some roasted chestnut developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, you could say almost rustic tannins, which merely adds to the charm. It has certainly softened over the last five years, dried herbs towards the complex, sensuous finish. I am not sure this will turn out to be a long-lived Petrus, but it is adorable all the same.

- Neal Martin (05/2010)