Originally classified as a 5th growth, Pontet-Canet has a reputation far above its 1855 ranking with these wines largely considered Super Seconds, closely ranking as such on the Liv-Ex global wine trading platform. While their reputation was established earlier on, the Pauillac estate’s superior position today was hard-fought, needing to rebound after a scandal involving the previous proprietors coincided with a drop in quality. Forced to change hands, the estate was purchased by respected Cognac merchant Guy Tesseron who brought on Jean-Michel Comme to take on the important role of technical director. Together, with the help of consultant Michel Rolland in the 1990s, the duo was able to overcome the notoriety brought on by the previous ownership and launch the estate into an exciting new era.
With the application of transformative new philosophies, Pontet-Canet became the Left Bank’s first classified growth to earn a biodynamic certification, a true feat considering the maritime climate brings persistent rain, a major hindrance in adhering to such a holistic approach to vineyard management. The monstrous undertaking resulted in significant improvements in grape quality and aromatic expression, giving the wines consistent concentration worthy of representing Pauillac’s distinctive power and structure.
Further straying from traditional practices, Pontet-Canet works with an array of various aging vessels rather than the standard French oak regiment, which best showcases the extracted aromatics and resonate, high quality of the fruit without too much weight from oak. The final styles are deeply rich, flaunting ripe fruit, a direct result of the meticulous care they receive in the vineyard. The continuous improvement over the years has won the château a steady following with wine aficionados entranced by the persistent depth and resonant complexity.
While these wines are capable of greatness in any modern vintage, stand-out years are a choice opportunity to see Pontet-Canet at its pinnacle. The universally-lauded 2009 vintage resulted in a triple100-point score for its attention-grabbing intensity, with Robert Parker raving about the “irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness” further proclaiming that “this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years.”
Written by: Victoria O'Bryan
Robert Parker, when rating Screaming Eagle 2004 writes, ”The wine’s dense ruby/purple color is followed by a beautiful, Pauillac-like (think Pontet Canet or Mouton)"
