1994 La Fleur Petrus

Pretty aromas of berries and wet earth and enticing flavors of fruit and vanilla. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins. Best after 1998. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1997

There is no doubting the fact that Christian Moueix is making a major effort to upgrade La Fleur-Petrus and produce a wine that is among the finest of the appellation. As I reported last year, Moueix acquired a sensational 10-acre parcel of very old vines from La Fleur-Petrus's neighbor, Le Gay, increasing this vineyard's size to 33 acres. The new vineyard plot paid immediate dividends based on how exceptionally rich and powerful, yet still elegant the 1995 has turned out. The attractive kirsch, cherry, pain grillee-scented nose is followed by a medium-bodied, restrained, pure, measured wine. The 1994 offers an impressively saturated color, as well as an inner-core of sweet, concentrated fruit, and moderate tannin in the finish. All the richness, extract, and balance are present in this closed, but impressively-endowed wine that should be drunk between 2003-2018. Feb 1997, www.robertparker.com

Sappy, very ripe black cherry and licorice nose. Sweet, bright and nicely delineated, with strong inner-mouth cherry flavor. Not particularly velvety or lush, but richer than recent vintages; also nicely structured, with sound acidity giving the wine shape and clarity. Finishes firm and long; more obviously ripe than recent vintages of this wine.