Roving Sommelier is passionate about premium quality wines. Château Pétrus is many wine lovers’ favourite château and has developed a fine reputation internationally, especially with connoisseurs of Pomerol wines and iconic Bordeaux vineyards.

What is more, over the years, as a top-flight restaurant wine buyer and sommelier, I’ve been very fortunate to get my hands on and taste many vintages of such rare and special wines. These highly prized jewels, amongst others are the cornerstone of my Roving Sommelier Collection.

Château Pétrus is a wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation in Bordeaux, France near its eastern border to Saint-Émilion. A small estate of just 11.4 hectares (28 acres), it produces a red wine entirely from Merlot grapes (since the end of 2010) and produces no second wine. The estate belongs to Jean-François Moueix and his children.

Located on top of a 20-hectare (49-acre) island mound, the Pétrus ‘boutonnière’ or ‘buttonhole’, Pétrus’ original vineyard possesses topsoil and subsoil high in iron-rich clay that differs from neighbouring vineyards, where the soil is a mixture of gravel-sand or clay-sand.

Although the wines of Pomerol have never been classified, Pétrus is widely regarded as the outstanding wine of the appellation. Pétrus leads a duo of Pomerol estates in extreme prices, along with Le Pin, that rank consistently among the world’s most expensive wines.

Following the death of Jean-Pierre Moueix in 2003, his son Jean-François Moueix, head of Groupe Duclot, is the owner of Pétrus; he and his children have controlled distribution worldwide via Clés Distribution since 2014. When Jean-Claude Berrouet retired as technical director after 45 vintages in 2008 he was replaced by his son Olivier Berrouet, who now manages the vineyard and the wine making.

Petrus produces an average of 30,000 bottles per year. The grapes are hand harvested over two to three days. The wine is aged between 12 and 16 months in oak barrels, half of which are new, before bottling. A stringent pre-assemblage vat selection is carried out and certain parcels are rejected from the Grand Vin.

1985 vintage was regarded as a great one with many top Bordeaux wines showing vibrancy of fruit, a velvety texture and great complexity. This one has evolved beautifully and is a very memorable wine that deserves to be enjoyed on very special occasions with sumptuous food.

I suggest you decant this wine at least one hour before service and serve in top quality wine glasses. Best enjoyed with red meats, especially lamb and game dishes and in a convivial atmosphere.