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Red

2009 Château Pontet-Canet

Red Bordeaux Blend

  • France
  • Bordeaux
  • Médoc
  • Pauillac

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Community Tasting Note

  • mathwonk wrote:

    August 21, 2019 - We had this tonight, after several hours of decanting, thanks to notes here, and it hit all the marks expected. It was concentrated so that it lasted all dinner, it had the right label so that it popped eyeballs at the restaurant and impressed everyone, and it was rich and round and full of flavor. It tasted great and we enjoyed it and it was a highlight of the evening. Still, there is not a feeling that it is anywhere near worth the price ($275). It has no complexity, and little interest, there is nothing thoughtful about it and it will certainly not stay in memory more than a few days, compared to wines whose taste lasts a lifetime. For a specific and modest example, a Leonetti 2008 cab sav shared a few months ago was far more memorable and mature, and has me searching for another similar wine. If you like concentration, "jamminess" and so on, this provides it, but if you prefer subtlety, complexity, and depth, this does not. I was already disappointed at examining the label to see it has 14% alcohol, since that is a sure sign the winemaker has abandoned subtlety for power. (This high alcohol is also true of the Leonetti I admit.) I hope I have not reached the point where only Chateau Latour would meet my expectations, but I believe a nice Chateau Lagrange, or for the same richness, maybe a 2008 Swansons' Alexis, would be more enjoyable for a fraction of the price. These bordeaux prices have me going back to good Washington wines for a comparative bargain. I.e. the Pontet Canet tastes nothing like what I expect from a Pauillac, and if you want berry juice, why not buy much cheaper US west coast wines? I apologize for the rant, but do hope the views help someone else understand just what is meant by raves about these wines. I.e. this is indeed a powerful concentrated wine, but that does not mean it will offer enjoyment proportional to the price to everyone. To be sure, careful reading of previous notes does reveal the true nature of this wine to the astute reader. Furthermore, most reviewers advise waiting and cellaring this wine. I think they are probably right, as more age can only help, but I cannot predict the future. Sincere thanks to all who tried to help me anticipate what this experience would be like.

    11 people found this helpful 15,080 views

13 Comments

  • gilrbo commented:

    8/21/19, 10:21 PM - Thank you for the openness and honesty.

  • Mhbeaune commented:

    8/21/19, 11:46 PM - Thank you for such a full and considered review. It puts my own efforts to shame.

  • Purple Tooth commented:

    8/22/19, 7:22 AM - Its a post 2003 thing...Even Lagrange has slightly fallen victim to it in vintages like the 2010, but, they hold back, as to where Pontet Canet does not. Its become a style of this wine as well as many others that do the same. You could politely refer to this as a Modern Style. The tell tale is a Bordeaux that tastes sweet out of the gate. Though I do agree, I like Lagrange better than Pontet Canet as a Bordeaux,I like Pontet Canet more than Lagrange for a California style. But, like you say, I can find me a good Cali wine for way less than 250 quid. Cheers!!

  • mathwonk commented:

    8/22/19, 1:15 PM - Further research suggests another possible explanation for this particular situation. Some years ago this was a $125 wine, according to one member who purchased it for about that. In my estimation that would be a fair price now, but since then it has been artificially inflated by the high score apparently it given by RP. thanks for the comments!

  • Mculfsson commented:

    8/22/19, 11:38 PM - Very interesting, thank you - but I must also say that I would not even think of opening my 2009’s yet. Of course way to young!

  • mathwonk commented:

    8/23/19, 8:23 AM - Thanks. I didn't know that about 2009. When I opened my 1970 Latour at 11 years old, it was perfect, and when I opened my 1995 Latour at 10 years it was delightful, so I had the idea 10 years should be fine in general, but I guess it varies from case to case. Oh and also the 2009 Talbots I have had were getting old if anything lately, so I guess it is complicated.

    I did learn at one point not to buy 2000's as I don't have the patience to wait long periods and those were always too young to drink when I tried them. Of course I am still here and they would have been fine by now. So I have avoided some I heard were slow maturing years like 2000 and 1996 and maybe 2005, but I did not know the 2009 were considered long term wines.

  • gilrbo commented:

    8/23/19, 9:00 AM - Well, 2009s have been described as approachable wines which never closed down and at the same time were for the long haul...

  • Purple Tooth commented:

    8/23/19, 9:12 AM - Based on what I have read on labels of the bottles of the 2009 and 2010 Bordeaux that I have drank, they are the highest alcohol bordeaux wines to my knowledge. For example, I believe that the 2009 Haut Brion is over 15% alcohol. I think I remember it being 15.4%...Same as Pontet Canet being close to or over 15%...Thats a monstrous amount of alcohol for a Bordeaux and certainly its nothing that any critic has seen or has experienced to date. So I am very skeptical of their assertions regarding these wines. All I can say is that all those heavy alcohol Cali wines that cloak the alcohol oh so well, are most charming in their first 7 years or earlier to me. After that, they taste like oaky adult punch...I don't buy Bordeaux for this character. I look for bordeaux that made me fall in love with the decaying scents of flowers and earth, in a medium bodied, light footed and dry wine. ...Cheers, PT

  • zimmy07 commented:

    8/29/19, 1:21 PM - I bought 6 cases at $119 for each bottle, so to me it is a bargain. This is an incredible wine in my opinion. Now, I like wines with considerable age. This wine will be amazing when my daughter gets older, she is 3. But most wines I own that are 2009 and younger, I plan to drink in 15-25 years. And these Bordeaux's will still hold up to the test of time, unlike most US wines that are built to drink now. Also a reason Ridge Monte Bello is my most collected wine. so when I post a huge score for this wine, it is because it has what it takes to mature into a great wine. and last one I had I decanted for a day. There is a reason people say not to open these until after 2024 for example. so yes, many wines may be more approachable than this, today, but depending on style, I like to age wine for decades and a 2008 Swanson will not rival this wine in 2035. each person has their own point of view, but I don't open young Bordeaux (2009 and 2010 are very young) before their time unless tasting where it is evolving. The last bottle I had was okay, it was in a dumb phase, so my guess still there

  • Mhbeaune commented:

    8/29/19, 1:53 PM - I am in completely in agreement re drinking windows. I like Pontet Canet,) 2003. 206 and 2009 are in my collection). My favourite is Chateau d’Issan as I prefer a slightly more feminine style of Bordeaux

  • mathwonk commented:

    8/31/19, 5:55 PM - @zimmy07, when i visited ridge some years ago, the workers there recommended either the '83 or the '93 monte bello as i recall. Does that ring a bell? I have only had one monte bello, and that was before i understood the importance of giving a mature wine enough air: i.e. it was initially a disappointment, to where I considered pouring it out, but after 30 minutes or so it became wonderful. I am now a lot more patient, sometimes waiting up to 14 days for a wine to open up.

  • Kevnzworld commented:

    10/17/19, 7:33 PM - My take. I like this wine. It has exceptionally high ratings...of course the price will increase. Pontet Canet was a mid level Bordeaux producer until 2009. They upped their game...and of course 2009/10 were exceptional years in Bordeaux.
    For my $ , I just bought two more bottles for $225 and that’s a bargain imo. This wine will be exceptional 10 years from now

  • mathwonk commented:

    11/16/19, 4:34 PM - i'm happy for you Kevin. especially the price, which is $325 locally here. Enjoy.

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