92-94 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
April 1998
Only 2,500 cases (as opposed to 4,500 in a high quality, abundant year) of Petrus were produced in 1997. The wine boasts an opaque ruby/purple color, as well as a knock-out nose of sweet pain grille, jammy cherries, plums, and black raspberry scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with surprisingly high tannin, a sweet, opulently-textured, unctuous mid-palate, and a structured, but overall forward finish. One of the most concentrated and complex wines of the vintage, it is a candidate for two decades of cellaring. The 1997 is hard to compare with any other Petrus vintage. It is obviously far better than the wines made during the early and mid-eighties (the 1982 being the prominent exception), as well as more forward than the 1994, 1995, and 1996 Petrus. Although I never tasted it at a young age, the 1997 may be reminiscent of the gorgeous 1967, which remains in dazzling shape (I had a superb magnum on December 31, 1997) despite the fact it comes from a light vintage that produced quickly maturing wines. For readers who like to keep records of such things, the Petrus vineyard was harvested on three separate days, September 11, 17 (the biggest haul), and 23. Some of the vines were harvested grape by grape rather than bunch by bunch because of the irregular ripening that afflicted nearly every estate in 1997.
90-94 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
April 1999
The 1997 Petrtus may ultimately turn out to be a superior wine, but somewhat of an insider's secret. The color is a saturated ruby/purple. The wine offers up copious quantities of sweet coffee, mocha, and blackberry fruit intermixed with cherry and subtle new oak notes. This medium to full-bodied wine is not a blockbuster, but gorgeously rich, with layers of glycerin, extract, and richness coating the palate. Dense and ripe, with moderate tannin in the surprisingly long finish, it should be at its peak between 2007-2025.
91 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
April 2000
The backward 1997 (2,300 cases produced) needs 3-4 years of cellaring. The dense plum/ruby/purple color is accompanied by a closed bouquet of mocha, dried tomato skin, and black fruits. In the mouth, it is one of the most muscular 1997s, exhibiting outstanding concentration, length, intensity, and depth, copious tannin, and a fine mouth-feel. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025.
91-92 points, Stephen Tanzer
May 1999
Deep red-ruby. Cherry, redcurrant, raspberry, toffee, minerals and iron filings on the nose. Opulent and deep, with a silky, mouthfilling texture and lovely caramel sweetness. Boasts outstanding length for the vintage. Suave and harmonious.
92 points, Wine Spectator
October 2004
This is a forgotten Pétrus. Good dark color, with lovely plum and light raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. A beauty. Fresh and long. Slightly better than when I tasted it a few years back.--Pétrus non-blind vertical. Best after 2005.
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