Little known 50 years ago, Petrus has become mythical for the uniqueness of its wine. The wine’s inimitability is due to many factors. Among them is an exceptional terroir—located 40 meters above sea level, the highest point of the appellation—with a layer of heavy clay soil and an iron subsoil.

These are ideal conditions for the expression of the Merlot grape and the iron-rich clay is relatively unique within the region. As a result, the 28 acre vineyard is planted only to Merlot. Average vine age is more than 50 years, and are allowed to reach 70 years before replanting.

The approach in the vineyard and cellar is traditional and respectful of the special terroir. The viticulture is fastidious—severe pruning in the winter, regular ploughing, crop-thinning, de-leafing, manicuring the clusters in the summer—and allows perfect ripening of the fruit. Grapes are manually harvested over just two days and sorted before crush.

Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased half a share of Petrus in the early 1960s and are largely credited with its rise to fame. The company also owns many other properties in both Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, including Magdelaine, Belair-Monange, La Fleur-Petrus, Lafleur-Gazin, Lagrange, Latour a Pomerol, Hosanna, and Trotanoy.

Fermentation for Petrus is carried out gently, without any over extraction, in temperature controlled concrete tanks. The blend, typically pure Merlot, is defined in December and the wine is aged 18+ months in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new.

Petrus displays an intense color, a rich and complex nose and an opulent fruit. In great vintages, the wine can easily be kept 25 years or more.