All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: A very modern expression with ripe, polished fruit that pushes the boundaries of regional typicity. Blind, I might not have called this Bordeaux. This was the only wine in the lineup with that trait. The nose is medium expressive with ripe dark berries, blue fruit and a touch of green herbs. On the palate, there is more definition with blue fruit, red berries, herbal notes, earthy tones and coffee. Quite complex for a 2008 with high freshness and slightly coarse but still youthful tannins. A success and easily worth 91 to 92pts
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: This is true to the vintage with ripe, dark fruit at the core, complemented by some brighter red berries that lift the profile. Expressive and quite complex, although the finish reveals a wall of tannins that feel slightly dry. Freshness is surprisingly good. However, this bottle showed some lactic notes which pulled the score down. Without that flaw, this could have rated clearly higher. Tasted next to the 2010 blind, the 2009 felt riper, less complete and structurally behind.
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: The defining theme is the fresh, bright red berry fruit that delivers both sweetness and energy. There is enough minerality and earth to counterbalance the fruit and prevent it from tipping over. Complexity is not sky-high today but will likely build with age. The structure is finely knit with smooth tannins, good freshness and an airy texture. The balance is impeccable. Tasted blind next to the 2009, this always had the edge in terms of freshness and poise. Consistently the better wine in this pair. 94+pts
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: Not much aromatic expression on the nose. The palate is more convincing with the typical blue and red fruit profile, some cola and oak, but also a slightly unripe green streak. As with many 2014s, there is not quite enough fruit or charm to achieve full balance. On the plus side, the tannins are fine and already quite integrated. A solid wine but not one of the standout vintages.
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: You can feel the warmth of the vintage with the darker fruit profile. Yet, the wine stays within bounds with no sign of overripeness. The oak is beautifully expressed, bringing coffee notes that frame the fruit well. Earthy undertones help complete a fairly complex and well-defined aromatic profile. Structurally there is nothing to fault: the tannins are fine, the acidity is surprisingly high and well integrated, and the texture is smooth with good energy. A surprise for me and easily worth 93 to 94pts.
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: Faulty bottle. The wine showed dominant green and vegetal notes along with hints of oxidation. It was not dead, and I rated it 83pts, but something was clearly off. A shame, given the expectations for this vintage.
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: A divisive bottle. Half the room called it faulty, and I hope that’s the case because it was not a good wine. I rated it 87pts. The nose was filled with odd herbal notes and cola, and the wine felt disjointed. It did not resemble Bordeaux. That said, there was no clear fault I could pinpoint. Just not a pleasant showing.
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: The 2019 seems to be in a closed phase. The nose is quite muted while the palate offers some dark fruit, green bell pepper and mineral notes, but nothing fully blossoms. The structure is fine with good tannins and freshness, and it feels like this will improve with time. Today, though, it is too locked and lacks the vibrancy needed for a higher score.
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: I tasted this shortly after release and it was disjointed and green, scoring only 84pts. This bottle, however, showed much better. There is fine dark and red fruit, earthy notes and a green bell pepper touch that ties it all together. Unlike some recent Pontets, this feels grounded in its terroir and very Cabernet-driven. The tannins still need time to melt and more complexity will come with age, but this has all the right elements. 92pts with upside.
2008 Château Pontet-Canet 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: A very modern expression with ripe, polished fruit that pushes the boundaries of regional typicity. Blind, I might not have called this Bordeaux. This was the only wine in the lineup with that trait. The nose is medium expressive with ripe dark berries, blue fruit and a touch of green herbs. On the palate, there is more definition with blue fruit, red berries, herbal notes, earthy tones and coffee. Quite complex for a 2008 with high freshness and slightly coarse but still youthful tannins. A success and easily worth 91 to 92pts
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2009 Château Pontet-Canet 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: This is true to the vintage with ripe, dark fruit at the core, complemented by some brighter red berries that lift the profile. Expressive and quite complex, although the finish reveals a wall of tannins that feel slightly dry. Freshness is surprisingly good. However, this bottle showed some lactic notes which pulled the score down. Without that flaw, this could have rated clearly higher. Tasted next to the 2010 blind, the 2009 felt riper, less complete and structurally behind.
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2010 Château Pontet-Canet 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: The defining theme is the fresh, bright red berry fruit that delivers both sweetness and energy. There is enough minerality and earth to counterbalance the fruit and prevent it from tipping over. Complexity is not sky-high today but will likely build with age. The structure is finely knit with smooth tannins, good freshness and an airy texture. The balance is impeccable. Tasted blind next to the 2009, this always had the edge in terms of freshness and poise. Consistently the better wine in this pair. 94+pts
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2014 Château Pontet-Canet 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: Not much aromatic expression on the nose. The palate is more convincing with the typical blue and red fruit profile, some cola and oak, but also a slightly unripe green streak. As with many 2014s, there is not quite enough fruit or charm to achieve full balance. On the plus side, the tannins are fine and already quite integrated. A solid wine but not one of the standout vintages.
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2015 Château Pontet-Canet 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: You can feel the warmth of the vintage with the darker fruit profile. Yet, the wine stays within bounds with no sign of overripeness. The oak is beautifully expressed, bringing coffee notes that frame the fruit well. Earthy undertones help complete a fairly complex and well-defined aromatic profile. Structurally there is nothing to fault: the tannins are fine, the acidity is surprisingly high and well integrated, and the texture is smooth with good energy. A surprise for me and easily worth 93 to 94pts.
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2016 Château Pontet-Canet Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: Faulty bottle. The wine showed dominant green and vegetal notes along with hints of oxidation. It was not dead, and I rated it 83pts, but something was clearly off. A shame, given the expectations for this vintage.
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2018 Château Pontet-Canet Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: A divisive bottle. Half the room called it faulty, and I hope that’s the case because it was not a good wine. I rated it 87pts. The nose was filled with odd herbal notes and cola, and the wine felt disjointed. It did not resemble Bordeaux. That said, there was no clear fault I could pinpoint. Just not a pleasant showing.
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2019 Château Pontet-Canet 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: The 2019 seems to be in a closed phase. The nose is quite muted while the palate offers some dark fruit, green bell pepper and mineral notes, but nothing fully blossoms. The structure is fine with good tannins and freshness, and it feels like this will improve with time. Today, though, it is too locked and lacks the vibrancy needed for a higher score.
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2020 Château Pontet-Canet 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
All wines were tasted blind and not decanted. There is a lot of talk about the erratic performance of Pontet-Canet and we did have two strange bottles, the 2018 and unfortunately the 2016. Otherwise, Pontet showed a surprisingly consistent performance with most wines landing between 90 and 94pts, with clear upside that will come either with more age, added complexity, or the right setting and glass. Tannin structure and freshness were convincing across the board and all post-2015 vintages were clearly Bordeaux in style, a welcome counterpoint to the often-cited critique of new-world impersonation, which I have experienced firsthand with a 2016 that felt closer to a Sine Qua Non than a Pauillac. A reassuring tasting overall.
TN: I tasted this shortly after release and it was disjointed and green, scoring only 84pts. This bottle, however, showed much better. There is fine dark and red fruit, earthy notes and a green bell pepper touch that ties it all together. Unlike some recent Pontets, this feels grounded in its terroir and very Cabernet-driven. The tannins still need time to melt and more complexity will come with age, but this has all the right elements. 92pts with upside.
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