One of the most expensive wines in the world, it used to be the most expensive by a long way but has been challenged in recent years not only by near neighbours but also by limited-production special cuvées in California. Much depends on the vagaries of the international auction markets. There is no doubt, though, that Pétrus is one of Bordeaux’s truly great reds. A very high proportion of Merlot (95%), with the balance Cabernet Franc, is planted in vineyards that sit upon a plateau of remarkably well-drained clay soils and provide a unique terroir. Extraordinary care is taken in both the vineyard and cellars in producing a wine that is immensely rich and concentrated with a bewildering array of dark fruits, oriental spices and seamlessly integrated oak, all supported by very fine supple tannins. It is consistently great and perhaps only struggles very slightly in lesser years, but then so does every other property in the region.
