Pontet Canet 2014

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes

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.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2045 31 March 2017

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.

Score: 93 - 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2035 01 April 2015

Deep purple, with soaring aromatics: black currant and blueberry. Intense and assured. There is a feeling of natural concentration in the mouth that is unique and typically Pontet Canet, very gentle and unforced with purity of damson fruit and layers of minerals. Intense and assured, with fine tannins and a blue fruit, iron finish. 2014 is once again with a balance that makes it hard to spit. Winemaker Jean-Michel Comme’s stated intent is every year to make a wine of emotion, a wine that can make you shiver, or cry with joy. Beautiful and memorable, there is no doubt.

Score: 94 - 96

Albany Vintners, - 24 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.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2023-2035 15 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.

Score: 95 - 96

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 31 March 2015