Pontet Canet 2005

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes
This has a deep limpid purple colour. The nose is very intense with stunning definition. It has closed up since I last tasted it, but there is undoubtedly a brooding intensity with blackcurrant, cassis and black plum, then touches of cedar coming through. Compared to the 2008, there is just a very faint touch of sur-maturite, but it just adds to the character. The palate is full-bodied, tightly coiled, sinewy tannins but beautifully focused. This is more surly than the bottle in Southwold, but there is a wonderful sense of tension and poise towards the minerally, shellfish tinged finish. This is undoubtedly an outstanding Pontet-Canet, even if it is a little tight fisted here and it remains that way after an hour. Score: 96 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2025+ 01 January 2010
Good full ruby-red. Complex, enticing aromas of black raspberry, licorice, minerals, bitter chocolate, lead pencil and pungent cedar; just this side of exotic. Wonderfully silky, sweet and thick, with a powerful minerality framing the currant, graphite and spice flavors. This boasts superb inner-mouth energy and great length, with the full, ripe tannins totally enrobed by the wine's mid-palate richness. Score: 95 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008
One can’t say enough about the extraordinary work proprietor Alfred Tesseron has done since 1994 in taking Pontet-Canet to a remarkable level of quality. Every top vintage has been impressive, and the 2005 rivals the brilliant efforts of 2003, 2000, 1996, and 1995. A black/blue/purple hue precedes a classic Pauillac perfume of creme de cassis, melted licorice, cedar, and spice. Full-bodied with superb concentration, fabulous opulence, and huge tannins and muscle, this is an uncompromisingly made Pauillac boasting sensational concentration, power, and aging potential. Prospective purchasers should keep in mind, it requires at least ten years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035+. Score: 93 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 April 2007
Absolutely spectacular, Pontet-Canet’s 2005 receives the full attention of dedicated proprietor Alfred Tesseron. Produced from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare (25% less wine than in 2004), it is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. The first vintage vinified in tiny cement cuves with pigeage for some lots, this wine will have 40-50 years of longevity, and should turn out to be the greatest Pontet-Canet since such ancient classics as 1961, 1945, and 1929. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as pure creme de cassis aromas, first-growth nobility and raciness, massive body, tannin, and extract, and a finish that lasts nearly a minute. With extraordinary purity and density, it is unapproachable at present, and is best cellared until 2012, and drunk over the following 50 years. Score: 94 - 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2062 30 April 2006
It is difficult to know whether the 2005 Pontet-Canet will ultimately eclipse the hedonism and density of the flamboyant 2003, but it is unquestionably a stunning effort. Inky/black-colored with a classic Pauillac perfume of licorice, black currant liqueur, graphite, cedar, and spice box, it is full-bodied, with magnificent concentration, formidable tannins, and an Arnold Schwartzenegger-like structure (when he was 25 years younger). This backward, formidably endowed 2005 will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040. Score: 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2040 01 January 1900
Rather raw simple black fruit flavours. Quite aggressively crude. Lots of acidity and tannin and not much attempt to integrate them. Positively inky. Score: 15 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2020 10 April 2006
Now one of the most dynamic Chateaux in Pauillac undergoing a radical transformation in the last ten years. Pontet Canet was known for its rather dry and austere wines until Alfred Tesseron took over in 1994, working diligently to reaffirm the reputation of this classed growth. With Michel Rolland as consultant winemaker since 1999, Pontet Canet is now consistently producing wines of impressive stature. Inky and opaque with a very flattering nose showing lots of sweetness and richness. On the palate it is immensely powerful tons of energy and controlled grip and a firm core of intense, super-ripe black fruit. Commanding structure but all in balance. Sexy and impressive with a long life ahead. Score: - Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006
Glorious aromas of currants, blackberries and cherries with hints of vanilla and cedar. Full-bodied, with exuberant fruit. Velvety tannins. Soft and round mouthfeel. This is supercharged with fruit. Wonderful purity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Very low yields this year. Best ever from here? Score: 95 - 100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

Tasting Notes

This has a deep limpid purple colour. The nose is very intense with stunning definition. It has closed up since I last tasted it, but there is undoubtedly a brooding intensity with blackcurrant, cassis and black plum, then touches of cedar coming through. Compared to the 2008, there is just a very faint touch of sur-maturite, but it just adds to the character. The palate is full-bodied, tightly coiled, sinewy tannins but beautifully focused. This is more surly than the bottle in Southwold, but there is a wonderful sense of tension and poise towards the minerally, shellfish tinged finish. This is undoubtedly an outstanding Pontet-Canet, even if it is a little tight fisted here and it remains that way after an hour.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2025+ 01 January 2010

Good full ruby-red. Complex, enticing aromas of black raspberry, licorice, minerals, bitter chocolate, lead pencil and pungent cedar; just this side of exotic. Wonderfully silky, sweet and thick, with a powerful minerality framing the currant, graphite and spice flavors. This boasts superb inner-mouth energy and great length, with the full, ripe tannins totally enrobed by the wine's mid-palate richness.

Score: 95

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008

One can’t say enough about the extraordinary work proprietor Alfred Tesseron has done since 1994 in taking Pontet-Canet to a remarkable level of quality. Every top vintage has been impressive, and the 2005 rivals the brilliant efforts of 2003, 2000, 1996, and 1995. A black/blue/purple hue precedes a classic Pauillac perfume of creme de cassis, melted licorice, cedar, and spice. Full-bodied with superb concentration, fabulous opulence, and huge tannins and muscle, this is an uncompromisingly made Pauillac boasting sensational concentration, power, and aging potential. Prospective purchasers should keep in mind, it requires at least ten years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035+.

Score: 93 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 April 2007

Absolutely spectacular, Pontet-Canet’s 2005 receives the full attention of dedicated proprietor Alfred Tesseron. Produced from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare (25% less wine than in 2004), it is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. The first vintage vinified in tiny cement cuves with pigeage for some lots, this wine will have 40-50 years of longevity, and should turn out to be the greatest Pontet-Canet since such ancient classics as 1961, 1945, and 1929. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as pure creme de cassis aromas, first-growth nobility and raciness, massive body, tannin, and extract, and a finish that lasts nearly a minute. With extraordinary purity and density, it is unapproachable at present, and is best cellared until 2012, and drunk over the following 50 years.

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2062 30 April 2006

It is difficult to know whether the 2005 Pontet-Canet will ultimately eclipse the hedonism and density of the flamboyant 2003, but it is unquestionably a stunning effort. Inky/black-colored with a classic Pauillac perfume of licorice, black currant liqueur, graphite, cedar, and spice box, it is full-bodied, with magnificent concentration, formidable tannins, and an Arnold Schwartzenegger-like structure (when he was 25 years younger). This backward, formidably endowed 2005 will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2040 01 January 1900

Rather raw simple black fruit flavours. Quite aggressively crude. Lots of acidity and tannin and not much attempt to integrate them. Positively inky.

Score: 15

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2020 10 April 2006

Now one of the most dynamic Chateaux in Pauillac undergoing a radical transformation in the last ten years. Pontet Canet was known for its rather dry and austere wines until Alfred Tesseron took over in 1994, working diligently to reaffirm the reputation of this classed growth. With Michel Rolland as consultant winemaker since 1999, Pontet Canet is now consistently producing wines of impressive stature. Inky and opaque with a very flattering nose showing lots of sweetness and richness. On the palate it is immensely powerful tons of energy and controlled grip and a firm core of intense, super-ripe black fruit. Commanding structure but all in balance. Sexy and impressive with a long life ahead.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006

Glorious aromas of currants, blackberries and cherries with hints of vanilla and cedar. Full-bodied, with exuberant fruit. Velvety tannins. Soft and round mouthfeel. This is supercharged with fruit. Wonderful purity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Very low yields this year. Best ever from here?

Score: 95 - 100

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

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