The 1998 Petrus Bordeaux Blend from the renowned Pomerol region is widely heralded as one of the finest wines of its vintage. This red wine, with an alcohol content of 13.5%, is sealed with a cork closure and produced by the esteemed Petrus estate in Bordeaux, France. The 1998 Petrus has garnered exceptional praise from multiple wine critics, highlighting its complex character and remarkable aging potential.
William Kelley from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate describes it as "the greatest wine produced at this estate since the formidable duo of 1989 and 1990," awarding it a perfect score of 100. Kelley notes its "aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings, violets, licorice, and black truffle," emphasizing its "full-bodied, rich, and seamless" nature with "beautifully refined tannins."
James Suckling also awards the wine a score of 100, calling it "a perfect wine and the wine of the vintage with Le Pin and Cheval Blanc." He praises its "aromas of wet earth, mushrooms, and dark fruits," and highlights its "full body, firm tannins and bright acidity." Suckling recommends decanting for two or three hours before serving for optimal enjoyment.
Decanter echoes the accolades with another perfect score, describing the wine as "richly scented" with "earthy truffle, black olive, and rosemary." The review highlights the vintage as a "classic Merlot year," resulting in velvety tannins and abundant fruit flavors. Notably, the vintage yielded only 2,400 cases of 12.
Other reviews remain equally laudatory, with Wine Spectator and Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider both awarding scores of 99. Wine Spectator's tasting notes reference "green olives and blackberry jam with hints of vanilla and Indian spices," while Jeff Leve describes it as "bottled decadence" with a "flamboyant nature."
Overall, the 1998 Petrus is celebrated for its depth, complexity, and precision, making it a standout wine with a promising future.
