2010 Ch. Pontet-Canet, Pauillac

A few years ago proprietor Alfred Tesseron gave us a blind tasting of four Pauillac wines from the 1996 vintage. They turned out to be Mouton, Latour, Lafite and Pontet-Canet, and the last-named lost virtually nothing by comparison with its lofty peers. I reckon he could repeat the exercise this year with the same results.

This is a monumental wine, seamlessly brilliant on the palate, exuding class on the bouquet. Everything is in such balance and harmony that I feel I should not bother to find the vocabulary to describe it, so I’ll just say it’s very special.  (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot)
(Alun Griffiths MW, BBR Wine Director)

The attention to detail at this over-­performing biodynamic Fifth Growth has elevated it into Bordeaux’s front rank over the last five years. This is as good as the equally wonderful 2009, albeit in a different style, with more tannin and acidity, but the same perfume, fruit concentration, subtle oak usage and palate length thanks to careful extraction. If this sells at less than £1,000 a case, buy it.

Masses of concentrated cassis fruit, but already has wild violet fragrance of the greatest Pauillacs, superb middle sweetness, perfect structure and length, perhaps more elegant than Pontet-Canet's great 2009.
(Steven Spurrier – Decanter – Apr 2011)

Dense, rich and minty on the nose with real density. Lots of luscious chew. This Pontet Canet wine is clearly from a great vintage with huge vivacity. Heavy undertow. Long. Minerals and firm. Racy.
(Jancis Robinson MW- jancis robinson.com, Apr 2011)

Pontet-Canet’s 2010 harvest took place between September 29 and October 17 (this vineyard is one of the few in Bordeaux that is fully certified as biodynamic) and the final blend was 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that achieved nearly 15% natural alcohol. A remarkable, full-bodied effort (as was the estate’s 2009 and 2008), like so many recent vintages from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, it is of first-growth quality (some may even argue that it eclipses several first-growths). Dense purple to the rim, it offers classic notes of creme de cassis, graphite, subtle smoke and spring flowers. Multidimensional with massive concentration as well as vivid purity, precision and freshness, this is another astonishing effort from an obsessive/compulsive proprietor who is doing everything right. On the downside, this 2010 will require a decade of cellaring and should evolve for 50+ years. It will be fascinating to drink it side by side with the 2009 and 2008.
(Robert Parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011) 

Seriously dense, with thickly layered fig paste, macerated black currant fruit, Kenya AA coffee and roasted tobacco. But really fresh and invigorating throughout, with mouthwatering iron and apple wood notes. Despite the power, this cuts like a knife from the start. When the Bordelais say precise, this is what they mean.
(James Molesworth – The Wine Spectator – Mar 2011)