Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2020 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé BIO

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This vintage has become one of the most sought-after in the Médoc thanks to an extraordinary duo: Jean-Michel Comme, a passionate and charismatic manager, and Alfred Tesseron, an equally committed owner and administrator who is prepared to take risks. Their partnership has enabled the vineyard to convert to organic viticulture, inspiring all their neighbors, and to perfect a working method suited to their quest for truth in the expression of the terroir and the vintage. There is no longer a second wine; the entire harvest is used to make the grand vin. In terms of style, in recent vintages, a proportion of the wine is aged in concrete vats, which perfectly balances the woodiness and releases all the aromatic purity of an exceptional juice.

Decanter

About wine:

Dark chocolate, bramble tones, not overly floral or fruity with hints of cedar and cinnamon. The acidity is immediately very high, the wine is lively and energetic, with lovely crisp blue fruits on the palate and creamy tannins that give it a round and full mouthfeel. Nothing is exaggerated, this wine is quietly seductive and confident, but it doesn't show off at all. I love the minerality and graphite grip with plum and black cherry and tons of slate, licorice, and minty freshness. The finish is long, slowly expansive, building and developing from start to finish, showing impressive structure overall. Beautifully constructed, charming, always with that Pauillac touch. A great Pontet—immediately appealing and enjoyable with long aging potential. 2027-2048

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The tone is set right from the nose, with great complexity: notes of fruit, charcoal, graphite... The wine is also spectacular on the palate, very full-bodied and vibrant, with a hint of acidity that gives it great bounce and extends the finish. A bottle of absolute harmony.

About the estate:

Owned by the Tesseron family, Pontet-Canet owes much to the hard work of Jean-Michel Comme, who spearheaded the transition to biodynamic farming and has been the architect of the wines' development for some thirty years. He left the estate in May 2020, handing over the reins to Mathieu Bessonnet. In any case, the estate is well established and there is no reason to believe that it will not continue along the path it has carved out for itself. It is now up to Justine Tesseron, Alfred's daughter and now at the helm, to maintain Pontet-Canet's unique status. A visit to the cellar, the horse stables, and the winemaking facilities reveals the extent to which the château has taken its vision of excellence and respect for nature to the extreme, whatever the grumblers may say. A pioneer, Pontet-Canet has breathed new life into the Médoc, setting a trend that is now being followed by others.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

The magnificent structure and balance of this wine are powerful. It shows a balance between black fruits and the freshness of the vintage, while the texture is almost velvety. The wine is juicy and seriously structured at the same time. Drink from 2027. Organic and biodynamic.

James Suckling

About wine:

Aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry with notes of crushed walnuts, toasted thyme, cocoa powder, and graphite. It is full-bodied, with layers of ultra-fine, silky tannins that elegantly coat the palate, allowing the juicy, vibrant fruit to shine through. Delicate and immaculate, yet compact with plenty of energy and power to be discovered in the years to come. It lingers for minutes and is delicious right now. The purity of the fruit is truly impressive. Best enjoyed after 2027.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

A resounding success! An expressive bouquet with hints of raspberry, camphor, and blackcurrant. A superb balance, clean and straightforward, unfolding on the palate with a silky, thirst-quenching texture. Exceptional tannins, with just the right amount of grain to create a very long finish. Very classy.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Freshness characterizes the bouquet of Pontet-Canet. A beautiful blend of noble vegetal, floral, and fruity nuances, complemented by the terroir with cedar and graphite. The attack is slightly creamy and heralds a precise, elegant wine. It does not shine with its fullness but rather with its precision. The tannins are fine-grained and in harmony with the acid structure. A subtle bitterness on the finish enhances the aromatic expression and lengthens the finish. A very great wine, full of finesse. 2027-2045