Pontet Canet 2003

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes
The spectacular 2003 Pontet Canet is still incredibly young and vigorous. This full-bodied classic boasts a dense purple color as well as a superb nose of graphite, crème de cassis, forest floor, licorice and a hint of truffles, low acidity, and extravagant richness. Most of the tannins have been resolved in this superstar of the vintage. It should continue to drink well for 10-15+ years. (95+ Points) Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2029 01 August 2014
One cannot say enough about the labors of proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who has personally overseen the dramatic increase in quality of the wines at Pontet-Canet which started in a significant manner with 1994. This is a classic Pauillac-styled wine (meaning oodles of cassis flavors), as one might expect from a vineyard on the plateau of Pauillac, across the street from Mouton-Rothschild. One of the great successes of the vintage and certainly one of the most profound Pontet-Canets made over the last decade is the 2003. Deep purple to the rim with a glorious nose of scorched earth, black currant jam, smoke, licorice, and roasted meats, it is full-bodied, incredibly powerful, dense, with low acidity but high tannin, broad-shouldered, and savory. This is a stunning, pure, classic Pontet-Canet that should be at its best between 2010 and 2035. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2035 30 April 2006
In this vintage the final blend, which tips the scales at 12.9% alcohol, includes 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is impressively endowed but still backward and not at all one of the more showy and flamboyant 2003s. It is dense purple-colored to the rim, with a pure creme de cassis nose intermixed with some high-class toasty new oak, full-bodied with ripe tannin and low acidity in a rather formidable, concentrated style that still seems backward in spite of what I am sure is more glycerin and a lower acid style than usual. As most well-informed insiders in Bordeaux know, proprietor Alfred Tesseron has been doing everything right since 1994 in order to fully develop the enormous potential of this vineyard adjacent to Mouton-Rothschild. Some serious work is done in the vineyard including de-budding, de-leafing, and crop-thinning. The harvest usually takes place in several attempts trying to maximize ripeness and there are two separate sorting tables. Yields have dropped dramatically, and of course there is a severe selection. Score: 91 - 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2030+ 30 April 2005
Wine Advocate #152 (Apr 2004) Robert Parker (92-94) points Drink 2010-2025 An outstanding success for this well-known chateau that still sells its wine at a reasonable price, Pontet-Canet’s 2003 possesses all of the vintage’s power and richness, but is classic in its proportions. While medium to full-bodied, with a boatload of tannin, low acidity gives it more up-front appeal than usual. The color is dense purple to the rim, and classic creme de cassis aromas and flavors are well-displayed. With considerable purity, depth, texture, and personality, it is a wine to buy by readers looking to maximize their purchasing power in 2003 Bordeaux. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 30 April 2004
An outstanding success for this well-known chateau that still sells its wine at a reasonable price, Pontet-Canet’s 2003 possesses all of the vintage’s power and richness, but is classic in its proportions. While medium to full-bodied, with a boatload of tannin, low acidity gives it more up-front appeal than usual. The color is dense purple to the rim, and classic creme de cassis aromas and flavors are well-displayed. With considerable purity, depth, texture, and personality, it is a wine to buy by readers looking to maximize their purchasing power in 2003 Bordeaux. Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 30 April 2004
A eucalyptus-tinged nose that lacks a little definition compared to its peers, although it is not over-powering in any way. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, touches of white pepper, blackberry, tar and damson, well-knitted oak towards the foursquare finish that shows impressive delineation and good length. This is a 'serious' 2003. Tasted October 2010. Score: 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 March 2011
Very deep crimson. Foxgloves and sweetness and wildness - overripeness. Very firm chewy tannins. Bilberries. Hot end. Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2015 13 October 2010
Ruby-red. Roasted blackberry, coffee and mocha on the nose, along with a grapey quality. Fat, superripe and sweet; wonderfully full, sexy and broad. Just this side of exotic, but sound natural acidity gives shape to the thick, mellow dark berry and chocolate flavors. Finishes with substantial tannins and resounding length. This will be drinkable several years earlier than the 2005. Score: 93 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006
Gorgeous raspberry, licorice and currant with hints of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and lots of currant and berry character. Refined. Long, long finish. Best after 2010. 22,500 cases made. Score: 94 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2006

Tasting Notes

The spectacular 2003 Pontet Canet is still incredibly young and vigorous. This full-bodied classic boasts a dense purple color as well as a superb nose of graphite, crème de cassis, forest floor, licorice and a hint of truffles, low acidity, and extravagant richness. Most of the tannins have been resolved in this superstar of the vintage. It should continue to drink well for 10-15+ years. (95+ Points)

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2029 01 August 2014

One cannot say enough about the labors of proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who has personally overseen the dramatic increase in quality of the wines at Pontet-Canet which started in a significant manner with 1994. This is a classic Pauillac-styled wine (meaning oodles of cassis flavors), as one might expect from a vineyard on the plateau of Pauillac, across the street from Mouton-Rothschild. One of the great successes of the vintage and certainly one of the most profound Pontet-Canets made over the last decade is the 2003. Deep purple to the rim with a glorious nose of scorched earth, black currant jam, smoke, licorice, and roasted meats, it is full-bodied, incredibly powerful, dense, with low acidity but high tannin, broad-shouldered, and savory. This is a stunning, pure, classic Pontet-Canet that should be at its best between 2010 and 2035.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2035 30 April 2006

In this vintage the final blend, which tips the scales at 12.9% alcohol, includes 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is impressively endowed but still backward and not at all one of the more showy and flamboyant 2003s. It is dense purple-colored to the rim, with a pure creme de cassis nose intermixed with some high-class toasty new oak, full-bodied with ripe tannin and low acidity in a rather formidable, concentrated style that still seems backward in spite of what I am sure is more glycerin and a lower acid style than usual. As most well-informed insiders in Bordeaux know, proprietor Alfred Tesseron has been doing everything right since 1994 in order to fully develop the enormous potential of this vineyard adjacent to Mouton-Rothschild. Some serious work is done in the vineyard including de-budding, de-leafing, and crop-thinning. The harvest usually takes place in several attempts trying to maximize ripeness and there are two separate sorting tables. Yields have dropped dramatically, and of course there is a severe selection.

Score: 91 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2030+ 30 April 2005

Wine Advocate #152 (Apr 2004) Robert Parker (92-94) points Drink 2010-2025 An outstanding success for this well-known chateau that still sells its wine at a reasonable price, Pontet-Canet’s 2003 possesses all of the vintage’s power and richness, but is classic in its proportions. While medium to full-bodied, with a boatload of tannin, low acidity gives it more up-front appeal than usual. The color is dense purple to the rim, and classic creme de cassis aromas and flavors are well-displayed. With considerable purity, depth, texture, and personality, it is a wine to buy by readers looking to maximize their purchasing power in 2003 Bordeaux. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 30 April 2004

An outstanding success for this well-known chateau that still sells its wine at a reasonable price, Pontet-Canet’s 2003 possesses all of the vintage’s power and richness, but is classic in its proportions. While medium to full-bodied, with a boatload of tannin, low acidity gives it more up-front appeal than usual. The color is dense purple to the rim, and classic creme de cassis aromas and flavors are well-displayed. With considerable purity, depth, texture, and personality, it is a wine to buy by readers looking to maximize their purchasing power in 2003 Bordeaux.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 30 April 2004

A eucalyptus-tinged nose that lacks a little definition compared to its peers, although it is not over-powering in any way. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, touches of white pepper, blackberry, tar and damson, well-knitted oak towards the foursquare finish that shows impressive delineation and good length. This is a 'serious' 2003. Tasted October 2010.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 March 2011

Very deep crimson. Foxgloves and sweetness and wildness - overripeness. Very firm chewy tannins. Bilberries. Hot end.

Score: 16

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2015 13 October 2010

Ruby-red. Roasted blackberry, coffee and mocha on the nose, along with a grapey quality. Fat, superripe and sweet; wonderfully full, sexy and broad. Just this side of exotic, but sound natural acidity gives shape to the thick, mellow dark berry and chocolate flavors. Finishes with substantial tannins and resounding length. This will be drinkable several years earlier than the 2005.

Score: 93

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006

Gorgeous raspberry, licorice and currant with hints of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and lots of currant and berry character. Refined. Long, long finish. Best after 2010. 22,500 cases made.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2006

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