The 2000 Pétrus is a legendary red wine from the Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, produced by the iconic Château Pétrus estate. This vintage is celebrated for its deep, inky plum-purple color and an opulent bouquet that unfolds slowly, revealing scents of blackberries, cherries, truffles, licorice, and underbrush, with hints of smoke and spice emerging over time. On the palate, it’s extraordinarily full-bodied, with a sumptuous, unctuous texture, immense concentration, and a colossal 65-second finish. The tannins are robust yet velvety, offering a structured, masculine profile compared to the more seamless 1998 vintage. Crafted from an 11.4-hectare vineyard on Pomerol’s unique iron-rich clay plateau, the wine is vinified with minimal oak influence and aged for 18–20 months in 50% new French oak barrels, showcasing the purity of its fruit and terroir.
Food Pairings
This powerful yet elegant wine pairs exceptionally with:
- Red Meats: Roasted lamb, beef Wellington, or venison with rich sauces.
- Game: Pheasant, wild boar, or duck with truffle accents.
- Mushrooms: Dishes featuring porcini or truffles to echo the wine’s earthy notes.
- Hard Cheeses: Aged Comté or Gouda to complement its intensity. Its depth and structure make it a standout for hearty, flavorful dishes.
Critics Reviews
The 2000 Pétrus has earned exceptional acclaim:
- Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 100/100 (April 2003), calling it “a prodigious Pétrus… monumental… with fabulous ripeness, enormous body, and a colossal finish… anticipated maturity 2015–2050.”
- Wine Enthusiast: 98/100, noting “extraordinary, dense fruit which simultaneously manages to float with elegance… decades to go.”
- Vinous: 98/100, describing it as “deep, inky… intense black and red fruit laced with pencil shavings and black truffle… a slow burner.”
- CellarTracker: Community average of 98/100, with descriptors like “aromatic, great claret, lengthy finish.” The 2000 vintage benefited from a stellar growing season—mild winter, warm summer, and ideal September ripening—resulting in a wine of rare concentration and balance.
Critics Reviews
The 2000 Pétrus has earned exceptional acclaim:
- Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 100/100 (April 2003), calling it “a prodigious Pétrus… monumental… with fabulous ripeness, enormous body, and a colossal finish… anticipated maturity 2015–2050.”
- Wine Enthusiast: 98/100, noting “extraordinary, dense fruit which simultaneously manages to float with elegance… decades to go.”
- Vinous: 98/100, describing it as “deep, inky… intense black and red fruit laced with pencil shavings and black truffle… a slow burner.”
- CellarTracker: Community average of 98/100, with descriptors like “aromatic, great claret, lengthy finish.” The 2000 vintage benefited from a stellar growing season—mild winter, warm summer, and ideal September ripening—resulting in a wine of rare concentration and balance.
Drink Window
- Recommended Drinking Window: 2015–2050
- As of April 8, 2025, the 2000 Pétrus is in an excellent drinking phase, with its tannins softening and tertiary notes (truffle, forest floor) emerging alongside vibrant fruit. It remains youthful and structured, capable of evolving for another 25+ years, rewarding patience with increasing complexity.
Additional Notes
Pétrus lacks a traditional château building, taking its name from the lieu-dit “Pétrus” (Latin for Saint Peter). The 2000 vintage is a benchmark, often compared to the 1998, 2005, and 2009, showcasing Pomerol’s clay terroir and Merlot’s majesty.
