Experience Petrus Now 45% Cheaper [CPopZ7Lk]

The 2003 Experience Petrus Now 45% Cheaper [CPopZ7Lk] was born in a difficult vintage for Pomerol, although its blue clay a.k.a smectite soils probably gave Christian Moueix and Jean-Claude Berrouet a slight advantage given its propensity to retain moisture and prevent hydric stress. That said, I would not mark it down as a top tier Experience Petrus Now 45% Cheaper [CPopZ7Lk]. After a timid opening it settles down with attractive mulberry, wild strawberry and clove scents, quite rich but not overpowering. I would argue that it is not as detailed as other vintages. The palate is very well balanced and surprisingly well defined considering the heat of that summer. Rich and opulent for Experience Petrus Now 45% Cheaper [CPopZ7Lk] (maybe the most opulent that Jean-Claude Berrouet ever made) and yet it retains a sense of symmetry and freshness on the finish that I think is unique to this Pomerol. Who says there is no such thing as terroir? Tasted in London with a Bordeaux merchant. -- Neal Martin