The Chateau Petrus is not included in 1855 classifications, however it has long been considered the equal of the First Growths, and with its greater rarity of only around 2,500 cases per year being produced, whereas the Lafite Rothschild for example, can sometimes produce over ten times that amount

Pétrus is a wine situated on the higher point of the Pomerol wine region in Bordeaux. The wine is made almost entirely from the Merlot grape. Although the wines of Pomerol have never been classified, Pétrus is now considered among the best of Bordeaux along with the First Growths.

The French Revolution led to the execution in July 1794 of Joseph de Fumel after he was executed, the estate was divided. Although the confiscated property was returned to the family, de Fumel's nephews left France after selling Haut-Brion in 1801 to Talleyrand, Prince of Benevento.

Not only so, nowadays, Pétrus is considered to be the most interesting of the Pomerols. The estate was among the first in Bordeaux to implement green-harvesting as a way to lower crop yields and raise the quality of the remaining grapes.

The vineyard of Pétrus soil consists of a high percentage of iron-rich clay, much more than is contained in surrounding properties. The vines, 95% of which are planted with Merlot and the remainder with Cabernet Franc, which is usually not included in the 'grand vin', have an average age of over 40 years.

Appellation: Pomerol
Areas under Vine: 12 hectares
Average Annual Production: 3,000 cases per annum
Soil: The composition of the topsoil and the subsoil at Petrus is almost all clay
Grape Varieties: Merlot (96%), Cabernet Franc (4%) Ageing: 24 months in new oak
Top Vintages: 1921, 1929, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1961, 1964, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009