2004 Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux

Remarkably red-fruited still on the nose with just a little bit of exotic spice and sweetness: the epitome of luxury and decadence yet it also smells so youthful and vibrant. Firm and dry on the palate, less yielding than I expected from the aroma. Much more tertiary character – undergrowth. Chewy finish, but it's warm and satisfying and still has a way to go. Drink 2016 - 2032julia_harding MW, JancisRobinson.com (March 2014)

The 2004 Petrus is not one of the strongest wines of the decade, though it remains a fine Pomerol. The bouquet does not hold back with splendid fruit concentration: floral top notes with pressed violets and shaved black truffles, traits I observed in previous bottles. The palate is gracefully moving into its secondary phase with touches of tobacco and warm gravel infusing the red fruit. However, there is a conservative element to this Petrus that opts to play it safe. You do not feel as if it will evolve into something more, which begs the question of whether you should continue sharing it. I see no harm in pulling bottles now; larger formats later.Drink 2020 - 2032Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (July 2020)

Deep medium red. Subtly complex aromas of mulberry, red cherry, toffee, caramel, iron and flowers. A bit narrow on entry, then expands in the middle palate without any loss of focus. A very firmly built, vibrant and classy 2004 with a tight mineral core and ineffable spice character. This is by far the most backward 2004 in the Moueix portfolio. Finishes with terrific aromatic persistence and subtlety. This will surely evolve in the direction of toffee and truffle and may ultimately merit an even higher rating.Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com.com (May 2007)

The 2004 Petrus is a vintage that I had not tasted for a while and whilst it is an exemplary Pomerol, it does not rank within the top tier of wines from the iconic estate. Nevertheless, it has a wonderful, quite powerful bouquet with kirsch and crushed flowers, violets and truffle, perhaps even a seam of cinnamon in the background. The palate is gently moving into its secondary stage of evolution. The fruit is darker than the 2004 Cheval Blanc tasted (blind) alongside, fine structure, a little broody perhaps but with satisfying depth. Perhaps like the 2004 Haut-Brion, it ticks all the boxes but does not quite deliver the personality or the charm of other vintages and as such, it has never quite achieved the promise it showed from barrel. My comments are begrudging given the quality. But this is Petrus. Tasted September 2016.Neil Martin - 01/03/2017

The dark plum/ruby-tinged 2004 Petrus possesses high acidity as well as copious amounts of sweet cherries and black currants intermixed with hints of cola, earth, and truffles. Deep, medium-bodied, concentrated, ripe flavours are excruciatingly firm and tannic. This backward, structured, muscular Pomerol requires a decade of cellaring, but it possesses the potential to be the longest-lived wine of the vintage, lasting 30-40 years.Anticipated maturity: 2017 - 2035Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate (June 2007)

Petrus's 2004 production (3000 cases) was nearly twice what was achieved in 2003 and 2002. Surprisingly broad, dense, and opulent (a descriptor not often applied to 2004 Bordeaux), it possesses a deep ruby/purple color, terrific purity, and notes of mulberries, sweet cherries, black fruits, scorched earth, Chinese black tea, and a hint of truffles. With full body, moderately high tannin, and impressive depth and length, it should be at its apogee between 2011-2025 (robert_parker - Wine Advocate - Apr-2005)