Le Sommelier Inc.

Varietals: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Soil type: Stony grounds, sometimes calcareous

Maturation: French oak barriques (Allier, Nevers, and Tronçais) subject to medium-light toasting, 50% new and 50% second batch. The aging period is 18 months in wood and as many months in bottles.

Alcohol: 14%

Tasting notes / Reviews: On the colour, garnet red with deep nuances, concentrated and very clear. On the nose, very intense, multifaceted, elegant and persistent. Red fruits and preserves are noticeable: an explosion of cherries and morellos, hints of minerals and vegetal aromas. Nuances of vanilla and cocoa complete the picture and give fullness to the bouquet. On the palate, full-bodied, intense, enveloping and well-balanced. It gives a sense of fullness touching all areas of the tongue. The tannins are round, sweet and not exceptionally aggressive, well merged with the acid contents, savouriness and alcohol. The aromatic persistence is very good and reveals the importance of this wine.

“The 2004 Petra is a big wine endowed with dark fruit, licorice, new leather and grilled herbs that emerge from its powerful, massive frame. Today it comes across as remarkably primary. Still the potential is clearly there for outstanding drinking once the wine comes together in bottle. It is a terrific effort. Petra is Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022.” 91 pts, erobertparker.com

“Jammy on the nose, with lots of new wood. Full-bodied, soft and round. Rather simple in the end. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best after 2009. 1,500 cases made. –JS” 87 pts, Wine Spectator