Pontet Canet 2019 (375ML)

99 WI / 99 JS / 98 JA / 98 DE / 98 WE / 96 VM / 18 JR

#6 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of France 2022
#14 Wine Independent Top 25 QPR Collector Wines 2022
#26 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2022

The 2019 Pontet-Canet is made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is a little shy to begin, slowly drifting out of the glass with an evocative perfume of violets, black tea, rose petals, and cinnamon stick over a core of cassis, juicy blackberries, and black cherries, plus touches of star anise and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and delivering layer upon layer of black fruits and savory accents, it has a firm, ripe, grainy texture and just enough freshness, finishing very long and fragrant. So stunningly vibrant that it shimmers, give it a good four years further in the cellar to open out and enjoy its transformation over the next 40 years+. Tasted three times with consistent notes. - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Independent

The aromas to this are really amazing, with a potpourri of spices and dried flowers, as well as redcurrants, sweet plums and even some peaches. Full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and ultra-fine tannins that spread across the palate in an encompassing yet always elegant and pure way. It’s succulent and unadulterated. Like crushed, perfectly ripened grapes. The length is rather endless. The tannins build. Fabulous young red. 35% in amphora and the rest in 50% new oak and 15% one-year oak. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2028, but an absolute joy to taste now.- James Suckling

So many things come together in terms of the finesse and bristling power of the tannins, it is almost drinkable now because everything is so beautifully balanced, but there is concentration and it is likely to close down soon and remain that way for a good 6 or 7 years. Liquorice root, cocoa beans, espresso and aniseed, bilberry and cassis, nothing too silky, instead this has grain and texture, and inches slowly forward, demanding that you pay attention as the elements layer on top of each other. Jean Michel Comme's last vintage as technical director. An upscore from my En Primeur note, and I am looking forward to retasting again for the 2019s in bottle in a month or so. 100% 1st wine, as it has been since 2015. 45% aged in new oak barrel, 15% one year, 40% in amphoras. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Such gorgeous aromatics of freshly picked violets, cherries and bramble fruits - pretty and quite delicate. The texture is smooth and succulent, mouth coating but full of soft tannins which have the most delicious black cherry, blackcurrant flesh and liquorice tinge to them - so satisfying. Extremely well balanced and well integrated, this has restrained power, it's not rich or particularly round but straight, direct and layered rather than wide. Really long finish with great freshness and touches of cool blueberries. This is just such a great wine, everything you want and you know there's power there promising a long life. Great winemaking on show. 35% aged in concrete, 50% new oak, 15% in barrels of one year, for 16-18 months. This year there's a new label, the drawing of the house has remained but the font is more elegant and modern. A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Drinking Window 2027 - 2047 - GH, Decanter

The 2019 Pontet-Canet was so effusive and generous en primeur. Today, though, it is quite reticent. That won't be an issue for those who can be patient, but patience indeed will be the key here. Dark red fleshed fruit, tobacco, cedar, spice, kirsch, mint and blood orange gradually open with a bit of coaxing. Imposing tannins wrap it all together. The 2019 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty, but it needs time. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The wine is so perfumed, with ripe tannins set beside the black currant purity. The wine does have weight but the fruit is so refined and vibrant. Tannins give a core for aging, offering the structure and the density of a very fine wine. Organic and biodynamic. - RV, Wine Enthusiast

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Harvest 23 September to 10 October.
Deep purple hue. Pure, elegant and precise, the fruit at perfect pitch, the aromatics complex and refined. Tannins finely edged but firm and present. Altogether great harmony and poise. Upright but seductive at the same time. A very complete wine. James Lawther MW - Jancis Robinson .com