Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2020 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé (magnum)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This cru has become one of the most sought-after in the Médoc, thanks to an extraordinary tandem: Jean-Michel Comme, a charismatic manager with a passion for authenticity, and Alfred Tesseron, an equally committed owner-manager ready to take any risk. Their complicity has enabled the conversion of the vineyard to organic viticulture, inspiring all the neighbors, and the perfecting of a work tool adapted to their quest for truth in the expression of terroir and vintage. There are no more second wines; the whole harvest makes a great wine. In terms of style, in recent vintages a proportion of the wine has been matured in concrete vats, balancing the woodiness to perfection and releasing all the aromatic purity of an exceptional juice.

Decanter

About the wine:

Dark chocolate, brambly tones, not too floral or fruity with some cedar and cinnamon notes. The acidity is immediately very high, the wine is lively and energetic, with lovely crisp blue fruits on the palate, but creamy-textured tannins that give a round, full mouthfeel. Nothing is overdone, this wine is quietly seductive and self-assured, but it doesn't flaunt it at all. I love the minerality and grip of graphite 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 the Pauillac touch. A great Pontet - immediately seductive and enjoyable with long aging potential. 2027-2048

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Opaque purple-black in color, it needs considerable aeration and swirling to exude evocative notes of candied black cherry, raspberry tart, blackcurrant pastilles and damp earth, before launching into gorgeous floral and spicy notions of red rose, cinnamon stick, star anise and cardamom, with a hint of crushed stones. The medium- to full-bodied palate reveals great depth and elegance, offering mouth-coating red and black fruits with plenty of fragrant earth and floral sparkle, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, with a long, mineral-tinged finish. This is a singular and fascinating expression of the vintage, which we highly recommend!

About the domain :

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

About the domain :

Owned by the Tesseron family, Pontet-Canet owes a great deal to the hard work of Jean-Michel Comme, the architect of the transition to biodynamic viticulture and the builder of the wines for some thirty years. He left the estate in May 2020, handing over to Mathieu Bessonnet. In any case, the cru has been launched, and there's nothing to suggest that he won't continue along the path he's laid out. It's up to Justine Tesseron, Alfred's daughter and now at the helm, to keep Pontet-Canet in a class of its own. A tour of the winery, horse stables and winemaking facilities reveals just how far Pontet-Canet has taken its vision of excellence and respect for nature to the extreme, whatever the naysayers may say. As a pioneer, Pontet-Canet has set a strong trend in the Médoc that is now setting an example.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

The magnificent structure and balance of this wine are powerful. It shows 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 the wine:

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

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Freshness is the hallmark of the Pontet-Canet bouquet. A fine blend of noble vegetal, floral and fruity nuances, complemented by the terroir's cedar and graphite. The attack is slightly creamy, heralding a precise, elegant wine. It doesn't shine for its fullness, but rather for its precision. The tannins are fine-grained and in phase with the acid structure. Fine bitterness at the end of the palate, complementing the aromatic expression and stretching the finish. A great wine, full of finesse. 2027-2045