Under the direction of Jean-Pierre's son, Christian, and their oenologist, Jean Claude Berrouet, Petrus receives the care of a pampered child. The grapes are picked only in the afternoon, when the morning dew has evaporated, so as not to risk even the slightest dilution of quality. Vinification and aging: The composition of the topsoil and the subsoil at Petrus is almost all clay (whereas in adjacent properties the soil is a mixture of gravel-sand or clay-sand). Merlot flourishes in this soil and for this reason, Petrus' vineyard is planted with 95% Merlot. The vines are unusually old and are only replanted after they reach 70 years of age. Replanting takes place plot by plot, instead of vine by vine, in order to guarantee that the average age of vines is maintained at a high level. Fermented in cement vats, the wine is aged in 100% new oak barrels for 22-28 months. Clarified with 5 fresh egg whites per barrel. Never filtered for fear of removing some of its remarkable richness. - cellarnotes.net