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Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2018 (Magnum 1.5L)  - First Bottle

Reviews

98 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
The 2018 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged in 55% oak barriques and 45% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes from the glass with an atomic perfume of raspberry pie, blackcurrant pastilles, rose oil and Chinese five spice, giving way to suggestions of cinnamon stick, dusty soil, pencil lead and underbrush. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is a hedonist's dream, delivering layer-upon-layer of black and red berry preserves with loads of fragrant accents, a beautifully firm yet plush texture and tons of freshness, finishing long with a whole firework display of exotic spices. This is pretty much out-of-the-gate delicious, but it has the backbone to evolve over three decades or more.
98 Vinous -
When I tasted the 2018 Pontet-Canet in barrel I described it as a "freak of nature." The 2018 is more than that, it is a freak of nature. Made from yields of just ten hectoliters per hectare, the 2018 possesses off the charts richness, phenomenal balance and head-spinning intensity. Crushed red berries, flowers, mint, cedar and rose petal saturate the palate in a Pauillac of breath-taking richness. The silkiest of tannins frame the phenomenally pure, long finish. This is a towering achievement from the Tesseron family and former Technical Director Jean-Michel Comme, who together spearheaded biodynamic farming in Bordeaux and built the present-day estate around a philosophy of non-interventionalist winemaking. In 2018, grapes were crushed solely by hand. Because of the tiny yields, the entire production was vinified in Pontet-Canet's new smaller concrete vats. All winemaking was done manually, without the aid of external temperature control or electricity. Put in another way, if Lalou Bize-Leroy made Bordeaux, it would taste like this.
98 James Suckling -
A complex nose of blueberries, elderberries, dried fruit, spice and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied with a harmonious, balanced texture. The tannins are still firm and powerful, but there’s balance and finesse to the whole thing. Tight and reserved, yet long and energetic. The tannins open slowly. Dusty texture. From biodynamically grown grapes
98 Wine Enthusiast -
This wine combines the richness of the vintage with a sophisticated structure of smoky tannins and spicy wood aging. It is still young, with a powerful structure and ripe, vibrant black-currant fruits. The wine needs plenty of aging. Drink from 2028. Organic and biodynamic.

Technical Details

  • Blend70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot
  • WinemakerJean Michel Comme
  • CountryFrance
  • RegionBordeaux
  • AppellationPauillac
  • Farming MethodBiodynamic Practices
  • Oak55% oak barriques and 45% amphorae
  • Alcohol14.5%

Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2018 (Magnum 1.5L)

Proprietary Blends  |  France
JS98, WA98, VN98, WE98, JD97, D95

Too late, we are SOLD OUT!
A tiny parcel of pristine Pontet-Canet magnums just arrived! Alfred Tesseron is a BOSS, transforming this historic estate in Paulliac into a true juggernaut. A pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming and always tweaking his recipe to make the best possible wines. This is essential as the climate continues to change in Bordeaux. Most recently, the addition of 45% amphorae into the mix gives these wines increased freshness despite their ripe and showy profiles. It also seems to highlight their gravelly minerality and gives them a fine-grained texture and lengthens out the finish. We think this is one of the finest versions of this wine in some years...yes, even better than the 100-point 2009 and 2010 in our humble opinions.

About the Producer

Alfred Tesseron and his team, led by Jean-Michel Comme, Pontet-Canet's estate manager, since 1989, have completely transformed both the vineyard and the identity of Chateau Pontet-Canet. Leaving behind conventional vinegrowing techniques in order to embrace organic and biodynamic methods, they have allowed the terroir to reclaim its origins. Speaking of terroir, Pontet-Canet happens to be perfectly situated in Paulliac's gravelly Rodeo drive, next to Mouton.