Aromas of blackcurrants and black cherries with hints of crushed walnuts, grilled thyme, cocoa powder, and graphite. It's full-bodied with layers of ultra-fine, silky tannins that elegantly coat your palate, allowing the juicy and vibrant fruit to shine. Delicate and pristine yet compact with lots of energy and power to uncover in the coming years. It'll cellar beautifully for decades and is equally delicious now.
Château Pontet-Canet is a large Pauillac estate that can trace its origins back to 1725, when Jean-François Pontet gave his name to the estate he had acquired. The wine was not château-bottled until 1972 and in 1975 the property was sold to Guy Tesseron, of the Tesseron family, one of the finest exponents of luxury, very old, aged Cognacs (Cognac Tesseron). The Tesserons also own Château Lafon-Rochet in St-Estephe. Today, Château Pontet-Canet is owned and run by Alfred and Michel Tesseron. Pontet-Canet's 78 hectares of vineyards adjoin those of Mouton Rothschild and are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (32%) and Cabernet Franc (5%). The Tesserons have vastly improved the quality of the Pontet-Canet wines which are now full-bodied and packed with ripe, chewy, black fruits and finely integrated tannins. The wines posseses marvellous ageing potential. Pontet-Canet is classified as a 5ème Cru Classé.
The biggest challenge for this biodynamic estate in 2020 was avoiding the destructive effects of mildew. In '18, mildew reduced the harvest by two-thirds. The team learned from that experience, and there were extra precautions in place this year: treatments with horsetail, willow and buckthorn saw off the threat with minimal loss.
Gentle handling of the fruit during winemaking and ageing (65% in barrel, 35% concrete amphorae) ensured another authentic expression of this unique château.
Pairs beautifully with a luxurious beef wellington.
98 Points - James Suckling. "This is integrated, with superb density and beauty, offering blackcurrant, mineral and some bark. Full-bodied, yet so polished and refined. Crushed stone. Lots of expression and texture to this wine. Creamy. Pure and precise. Elegant, yet layered."
