2009 Château Pontet-Canet
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ProducerChâteau Pontet-Canet
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Vintage2009
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Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon Blend
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RegionBordeaux
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SizeBottle
Although only declared a fifth-growth property in the famous Bordeaux Classification of 1855, there is little argument that today Pontet-Canet produces on of the best wines in all Bordeaux more-or-less every vintage. From its superbly-sited 120 hectares of land located on the top of a small hill to the north of Pauillac and next door to Mouton Rothschild, around 80 hectares are planted to 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
Over the past two decades or so, Pontet-Canet, under the leadership of its owner, the irrepressible Alfred Tesseron, has slowly transformed and evolved into the exceptional performer that it is today. It has done this through what Alfred himself declares as a ‘dedication to the vineyard’. Realising that pesticides and soil compaction had played a huge role in Pontet-Canet’s long history of producing ‘merely adequate’ wines, Tesseron’s focus shifted to embracing first organic, and later biodynamic viticulture in an effort to return Pontet-Canet at least to a classified growth-worthy position. After many decades of often mediocre and uninspiring wines, glimmers of hope emerged in the late 1980s, and by the mid 1990s Pontet-Canet was producing good wines most vintages. By the 2000s, Pontet-Canet was producing seriously impressive wines, and by the twin great years of 2009 and 2010, Pontet-Canet’s wines were considered the equal of the best of Bordeaux most years. This has continued, where today critics and consumers alike rate Pontet-Canet amongst each vintage’s best wines.
100 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically – a rarity in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke, licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years. The tannins are elevated, but they are sweet and beautifully integrated as are the acidity, wood and alcohol (which must be in excess of 14%). This vineyard, which is situated on the high plateau of Pauillac adjacent to Mouton Rothschild, appears to have done everything perfectly in 2009. This cuvee should shut down in the cellar and re-open in a decade or more. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2075
100 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
Deep garnet in color, the 2009 Pontet-Canet slips sensuously from the glass with opulent scents of crème de cassis, baked plums and Black Forest cake plus suggestions of Chinese five spice, potpourri, oolong tea and menthol. Full-bodied, rich, spicy and oh-so-decadent in the mouth, it has a fantastically velvety frame and seamless freshness, finishing very long.