Chateau Pontet-Canet

Originally classified as a 5th Growth, Chateau 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 the estate was established in 1781, Pontet-Canet's superior position today was hard-fought, as quality on the famed Pauillac terroir did not always impress drinkers. Then, in 1975, respected Cognac merchant Guy Tesseron purchased the estate and brought on Jean-Michel Comme as the technical director, forever changing the landscape of Pontet-Canet. With the help of consultant Michel Rolland in the 1990s and eventual ownership from Alfred Tesseron, Chateau Pontet-Canet launched into Bordeaux superstardom, holding this position into the current day.

Building a Pauillac Empire: Chateau Pontet Canet

Pontet-Canet's history dates back to the early 18th century, when Jean-François de Pontet, Grand Squire to Louis XV and eventual governor of the Médoc, purchased prime land in northern Pauillac. After merging land with a small vineyard called Canet, the estate was founded, quickly becoming one of Bordeaux's prime wines. A century after its birth, Pontet-Canet was classified as a Fifth Growth estate and was eventually purchased by Henri Herman Cruse, remaining in family hands for nearly 110 years.

After a major scandal took place in the early 1970s in Bordeaux winemaking, the Cruse family of Chateau Pontet-Canet was at the forefront of the investigation, forcing the family to give up ownership. Tainted with accusations of producing "adulterated and mislabeled wine," Guy Tesseron stepped in to save the falling estate. Under his leadership, Pontet-Canet transformed into a Super Second, denoting its quality for crafting wines on or near the same level as coveted First Growths. By calling upon Jean-Michel Comme and Michel Rolland, Tesseron built a Pauillac empire that shot to even larger heights under his son, Alfred. Throughout the past three decades. Pontet-Canet has firmly rooted itself among Bordeaux royalty, captivating critics, collectors, and everyone in between.

Pontet Canet Exceptional Pauillac Terroir

Chateau Pontet-Canet is home to an 81-hectare vineyard, comprising 62% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 2% petit verdot. Situated near Chateau Latour and Mouton-Rothschild, Pontet-Canet is on one of the world's most coveted terroirs, with deep, bedrock and limestone soils contributing to the beautiful expressions of each variety. For over 30 years, Jean-Michel Comme tended the land perfectly, understanding each inch and vine. Ultimately, there are 800,000 vines on the property, split across different plots that each benefit the specific variety.

Winemaking at Pontet Canet

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, which best showcases the extracted aromatics and high quality of the fruit without too much weight from oak. The final blends 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 estate a steady following with wine aficionados entranced by the persistent depth and resonant complexity.

2009 Pontet Canet and Notable Vintages

While Pontet-Canet wines are capable of greatness in any modern vintage, stand-out years are an opportunity to see the estate at its finest. The universally-lauded 2009 vintage resulted in a triple 100-point score for its attention-grabbing intensity, leaving Robert Parker to rave 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.”

Other standout releases include the 2010 Pontet-Canet, another triple 100-pointer that earned the back-to-back vintages the 'Twin Towers of Perfection.' For collectors looking for more recent, age-worthy wines, the 2016, 2019, and 2020 Pontet Canet vintages are all excellent additions to store for decades in the cellar.

Grab a Bottle of Pontet Canet Wine

With incredible quality and accessible prices, Pontet-Canet wine represents one of the best values from Bordeaux. Compared to its First Growth neighbor, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, a bottle of Pontet-Canet is often a fifth of the price, receiving the same quality ratings from seasoned veterans. Take advantage of these prices while you can; many collectors are on the hunt for a bottle.