CHÂTEAU PONTET CANET

2004 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac

Grapes Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Pauillac
Classification 5ème Cru Classé
ABV 13%

‘We made the most beautiful Cabernets we have ever made’ says Alfred Tesseron, and this shows in the tasting of this fantastic Pontet Canet, which is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple to black, lovely texture of freshness, very aromatic, lots of interest, lots of body and velvety rich concentration. Pure and complex in its bright black fruit. Real concentration, cut and class. Real wine. Bravo Rating: 93 L&S (Apr 2005)


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Don't overlook this gem. The bouquet delivers pure blackberry, pencil lead and tobacco notes that are more generous than the 2005 at the moment—open for business, you might say. There is an element of dried herbs here, a hint of black tar. The palate is medium-bodied and quite sturdy in the mouth, the tannins perhaps "abrasive" when juxtaposed against the 2005, however they are couched in unexpectedly intense earthy black fruit that frame a tannic finish. If you hanker for a sumptuous Pontet-Canet, then opt for 2003 or 2009, but if your predilection is for a more "classic" Pauillac, then 2004 Pontet-Canet fits the bill. Undoubtedly a great wine from Alfred Tesseron for the vintage, I would start, broaching bottles now but keep a stash back for 4-5 years' time when those tannins have softened. Tasted February 2016. Drinking range: 2016 - 2040 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jul 2016)

Particularly deep shiny blackish purple. Some green notes predominate on the nose but there is some attractive spice too. Lots of solid fruit here and the tannins are very well managed - quite soft until the very end when a little bit of greenness creeps in. Just a little bit cool and soulless. Only medium weight. Drink 2014-23 Drinking range: 2016 - 2030 Rating: 17 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2015)

A classic, pretty nose of floral cassis, gentle wood spice, lush black fruit, chocolate, oak and spice. Lush, creamy, full-bodied and tannic, with lots of room for the fruit. Decanter June 2011. Medoc Panel Tasting. 17.25 points Rating: **** Decanter Magazine (May 2011)

Château Pontet Canet

Pauillac Cinquième cru 1855 Such is the speed with which Pontet-Canet's star has risen of recent that it could almost feel as if it's a new estate bursting on to the scene. But it has a long history, in keeping with its noble neighbours, but a long history of under-achievement, a moniker it has only just shaken off. During the 18th Century, Jean-François de Pontet, and his descendants, built up a very healthy portfolio of vineyard in the Médoc. Those that they owned in St Julien were, eventually, disposed of but the large estate that they assembled in Pauillac was retained and has resisted the fragmentation that afflicted so many Médoc estates over the years. Consequently, at 80ha of vines in a 120ha estate, Pontet-Canet is one of the largest Cru Classé estates. By the time of the 1855 classification, despite being the neighbour of Mouton-Rothschild and Lafite, Pontet-Canet could "only" scrape 5th Growth status. Herman Cruse bought the run down estate in 1865 and, initially, put in the neccessary investment to realise the vineyard's potential. But, by the mid-20th Century, Pontet-Canet's production was mediocre at best. Salvation came when the Cruse family, beset with scandal, were forced to sell Pontet-Canet to a Cognac shipper Guy Tesseron in 1975. He, with his son Alfred, have, at last, allowed Pontet-Canet to blossom. It has taken a lot of work, a lot of investment, and a lot of time to perform the miracle but, since the mid-1990's, Pontet-Canet has produced wines of immense quality and longevity, much loved by Robert Parker and far exceeding 5th Growth status. Lying on a wide plateau of poor gravel soils, with Mouton Rothschild and d'Armailhac immediately to the north and the Carruades de Lafite vineyard to the west, Pontet-Canet is planted to 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically, the first classed growth vineyard in the Médoc to do so. In keeping with that, they have eschewed tractors in favour of horses, who's hooves are kinder to the soil than tractor tyres. The Grand Vin spends 16 to 20 months in wood, of which 60% typically is new. There is a second wine - Les Hauts de Pontet Canet.

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