Wijnen

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc en 1% Petit Verdot. Het rendement in 2014 is dubbel zoveel als vorig jaar: 30 hl/ha. De manager van Pontet Canet is zo perfectionistisch ingesteld dat “vendange verte” of draconische selectie van de oogst haast overbodig wordt: alleen perfect fruit komt het Château binnen. De tweede wijn wordt tot een symbolische proportie van de oogst herleid: 90% van de oogst is goed genoeg om Grand Vin te worden. Ook de élévage gebeurt anders dan elders: de helft van de productie verdwijnt in nieuwe eik, 15% in vaten van één jaar en 35% in amforen (!). Deze laatste worden sinds 2012 gebruikt. Een purperen schittering glinstert in het glas. We vinden rijkelijke aroma’s van bosbessen, zoete vanille en zwarte kersjes in de neus. Pontet Canet is volmondig en zacht in de mond met een rappel van de sappige bosbessen en zwarte kersen die het fruitig geheel doorweven. Dit is een vitale en euforiserende jonge Pauillac met een heerlijk lange en majestueuze finale. Opnieuw een grote Pontet Canet en de beste sinds de 100-punters van 2009 en 2010. Bravo!

IN DE PERS

94 Neal Martin – robertparker.com (Maart 2017)
The 2014 Pontet-Canet, now in bottle, was tasted twice during my trip to Bordeaux. It has an attractive bouquet: graphite tinged black fruit, incense and violets, perhaps a little more hedonistic than I envisaged when I tasted it from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannin thanks to the keen line of acidity. I like the precision of this Pontet-Canet. It feels linear and correct, pencil lead notes developing towards the second half, more quintessentially Pauillac than previous vintages, with what you might describe as a classic Pauillac finish that retains the focus that I remarked upon from barrel. Tasted February 2017. Drink: 2020-2045.

93-95 Neal Martin – robertparker.com (April 2015)
The Château Pontet-Canet 2014 was picked between 29 September and 10 October, the 10th biodynamically. It is initially quite reticent, a little broody in the glass. However, it unfolds with each swirl revealing a very pure and I feel, a more contained and classic bouquet compared to the 2013: blackberry, graphite, minerals and a touch of incense. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite tensile tannin. The acidity is very well judged – crescendo of flavors that lead to a precise, lightly spiced, quite vivacious finish. What I like here is that it is very Pauillac, in the sense that I feel that recent vintages were flirting with deviating too far away from what a typical Pauillac ought to be. This is unmistakable in terms of where it comes from, but there it retains that sense of focus and mineralité that ensures this is a total success for the vintage. I find this more appealing than the 2013 last year and this 2014 should be a vintage that puts a smile on Jean-Michel Comme's face. Drink: 2018-2035.

95+ Antonio Galloni – vinousmedia.com (Februari 2017)
The 2014 Pontet-Canet seems to have put on quite a bit of weight and volume since I first tasted it from barrel. Ripe, juicy tannins wrap around a core of intense dark cherry, plum, spice, lavender and tobacco. Today, it is the wine's sheer intensity and vertical structure that stands out. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle until at least age ten, and even that is almost certainly not going to be enough time for the 2014 to show the full breadth of its potential. The transformation the 2014 has undergone from a delicate, nuanced Pauillac to a wine of depth is quite remarkable. Tasted three times. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, vinified in equal parts cement and oak and aged in a combination of 50% new oak, 35% amphora and 15% once used barrels. This is a gorgeous wine from the Tesseron family and the team led by Technical Director Jean-Michel Comme. Drink 2014-2044.

93-96+ Antonio Galloni – vinousmedia.com (April 2015)
Deep and translucent to the core, the 2014 Pontet-Canet is one of the sexiest wines of the vintage. A host of violets, lavender, mint, spices, new leather and plums grace the palate in an utterly exquisite wine endowed with magnificent yet understated depth and crystalline purity. This is without question one of the highlights of the vintage. The 2014 isn't a big wine; rather it is a Pauillac built on a total sense of finesse. The 2014 was vinified in equal parts cement and oak, and is aging in a combination of 50% new oak, 35% amphora and 15% once used barrels. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Personally, I can't wait to taste the 2014 from bottle.

17/20 Jancis Robinson – jancisrobinson.com (April 2015)
A robust, intense nose. Rich and toasty flavours. Lots of tannin, but very ripe tannin. Quite raw and rude in some ways. Then a great weight of fruit on the finish. Just a little dryness on the end. But distinctive overall. Energetic. Very confident and robust. Not fine and refined but admirably confident. Drink 2023-2035.

98 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Februari 2017)

95-96 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (April 2015)
The strength of this Pontet Canet is very impressive, making it structured and tannic with a long and intense finish. Yet it turns to bright and vivid fruits. Full body. A modern classic. It builds on the palate.

94 Tim Atkin – timatkin.com (April 2015)
After a tricky vintage in 2013, when Pontet-Canet misjudged the market too, this is an impressive return to form for this biodynamic property. Bold, concentrated and built to last, it's smoky, compact and powerful, with classy oak usage, plush black fruits, savoury tannins and very good length.

19/20 Bettane & Desseauve (April 2015)

17/20 Jean Marc Quarin (April 2015)

18-18,5/20 La Revue des Vins de France (April 2015)

Pontet Canet

Pontet Canet zet de trend. Al tien millésimes lang staan biodynamie, harmonie met de natuur en "cette compréhension du vivant" centraal in hun gedetailleerde werkwijze. Elke wijnstok wordt piekfijn gesoigneerd "zoals een individu gewaardeerd wordt voor zijn originaliteit". Daarmee werden op Pontet Canet sommige "traditionele" ingrepen zoals de ébourgeonnage bijvoorbeeld overbodig. De voordelen zijn veelvuldig: natuurlijk lage rendementen (niet meer dan 30 hl/ha), een grotere natuurlijke weerbaarheid van de wijnstok en sneller rijpe druiven. Gaandeweg zijn trekpaarden, koeien en ezels de wijngaard gaan bevolken; elk heeft er zijn functie en nut. Minimalisme typeert de vinificatie. Alles gebeurt handmatig en electriciteit werd verbannen uit het productieproces. Een dertigtal mensen sorteert de oogst en cuves worden pomploos gevuld. Ook het élevage is baanbrekend met amfores van 900 liter. De wijngaard is aangeplant met 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc en 1% Petit Verdot. De ware test is in het glas en wijnliefhebbers wereldwijd juichen. Pontet Canet kreeg perfecte parkerscores voor 2009 en 2010.

Tesseron