The 2017 Petrus, a Bordeaux blend from the prestigious Pomerol region of Bordeaux, France, is a noteworthy wine produced entirely from Merlot. The wine has been lauded for its complexity and aging potential, with reviews from several esteemed critics highlighting its standout qualities.
Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded the wine a near-perfect score of 99, describing it as "Powerful yet poised, rich and fresh, dense and velvety," with a finish that lingers for close to 60 seconds. Leve emphasizes the wine's complex aromatics, including "Truffle, Cuban cigar wrapper, exotic spice, licorice and lilacs," and praises its potential to age for decades.
James Suckling, giving it a score of 98, notes the wine's "crushed berries, violets and black olives" aromatics, along with hints of vanilla and caramel. He describes the wine as "Full-bodied and round with very creamy tannins that melt into the wine," and advises patience before opening, suggesting it be tried after 2025.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated the wine 98, commending its "bold, expressive notions of Black Forest cake, blueberry preserves and Christmas pudding." The review highlights its "compelling freshness and a solid base of wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins," and calls the 2017 Petrus "a bombshell" with a unique style that collectors should seek out.
Vinous' Antonio Galloni gave the wine a 95+ score, noting its alluring nature despite being in an "awkward stage." He mentions the wine's floral and blood orange overtones, adding that it will age more on finesse than power. He details the winemaking process, including longer skin contact and malolactic fermentation in steel.
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss rated it 96, describing it as "powerfully structured and solid" with "rich berry flavors and density." He predicts the flavors will continue to develop, recommending it be enjoyed from 2024.
Decanter awarded the wine 97, noting its "flesh on the bones" and successful maintenance of juice and aromatics in a dry year. The review praises its "touches of fresh hay, lovely gentle spice, tons of dark fruits, cinnamon and complexity," calling it one of the best wines of the year.
Wine Spectator's review, which also gave it a 98, describes it as delivering "a torrent of pure, unadulterated raspberry fruit" with "terrific cut and precision." Jeb Dunnuck, with a score of 95, highlights its "terrific cassis, raspberry, and red currants fruits" and "stunning purity of fruit," suggesting it will keep for 20-25+ years.
Overall, the 2017 Petrus is a well-regarded wine praised for its complexity, elegance, and aging potential, making it a valuable addition to any collector's cellar.