Château Pontet Canet

93 Points - Neal Martin

Lucid purple in color, the bouquet leaps from the glass and yells "Pauillac" - thanks to its graphite seam interwoven through the black fruit. Over ten minutes, tobacco scents join the fray and it develops what you might call "mint fresh" aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied and remains understated on the entry, perhaps exaggerated by the exuberance of the nose. However, there is no question that this is a refined, pure and seamless Pontet-Canet with crème de cassis and cedar inter-layered on the sustained finish. Bon vin.

94-96 Points - Neal Martin

There is certainly great purity and terroir expression on the nose: blackberry, briary and background scents of fresh raspberry and cold stone. The definition is very impressive. The palate is interesting – quite different from the previous vintages. I love the tannins here – very fine but lending the Pontet-Canet great backbone It is utterly harmonious but I feel more understated, perhaps more controlled than recent vintages. The finish is much more introspective – a Pauillac politely informing you to go away and wait before bottling before making any judgement! This is a divine Pontet Canet - very succinct.

En Primeur 2017 - Available for delivery Spring / Summer 2020

And to a perennial favourite, Château Pontet Canet which is released @ £506.50 IB per case of six. Granted, the Château has made an effort to reduce their price (26% down on last year) however, what about the superb 2015 which is available @ £460.00 per six pack and other, drinking mature vintages. Surely, £400.00 per case of six would have been the sensible release price. Image / reputation intact and a large volume sold rather than sitting on negociants books.

Great scores from the US critics’

96-98 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Blended of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Pontet-Canet opens with vibrant wild blueberries, black raspberries and crushed plums with notions of cinnamon stick, violets, unsmoked cigars and pencil lead plus wafts of roses, lavender and tilled black soil. Medium-bodied with very fine, incredibly plush tannins, it is deliciously savory in the mouth, with wonderful freshness and spectacular energy delivering many layers, resulting in a very long, mineral-laced finish.

92 Points - Stuart McCloskey

Clearly, lacking the extravagance of the Grand Vin however, it’s difficult not to be impressed. Silky / supple tannins work harmoniously with the high quality fruit. Cabernet flavours dominate with blackberry leaf, cassis with a touch of cocoa coming through as the wine starts to reach its tenth birthday. Really delicious but does require 2-3 hours in a decanter.

91 Points - Stuart McCloskey

Alfred and his team produced a super-delicious wine during a difficult vintage. The Grand Vin equalling all the First-Growths and his second wine is comfortably comparable (if not better) than many second wines for double the money. This is a refined Pauillac and drinking beautifully now...

92 Points - Stuart McCloskey

I love the 2012 from Pontet Canet (and Les Hauts de Pontet Canet). The vintage / mother nature forced a change in style away from huge blockbusters to more elegance and refinement. Some of the best wines were produced on this estate during 2012 and both the Grand Vin and Les Haut de Pontet Canet are utterly delicious.

Château Pontet Canet’s second wine, which is made in tiny quantities because much of the fruit is good enough to make Pontet Canet itself...