Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend

9.155 ratings
9.113 pro ratings
Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Red Bordeaux Blend
Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pasta, Pork, Salami & Prosciutto, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Tomato-Based, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Beef, Hard Cheese, Venison
Top Notes For
LM Segal

A solid showing for a tough vintage Pontet-Canet. Benefitted from a 1.5 hr decant, rich cedar on the nose, brambly strawberry and red cherry fruit mixed with saddle leather notes, bit of barnyard. Quite nice, feels like it could get a bit better.

A solid showing for a tough vintage Pontet-Canet. Benefitted from a 1.5 hr decant, rich cedar on the nose, brambly strawberry and red cherry fruit mixed with saddle leather notes, bit of barnyard. Quite nice, feels like it could get a bit better.

Jul 22nd, 2020
ESF
9.3

Yeah yeah, I know this is not considered a great vintage, but this is a Cracking Claret! Leaner in style and not a verbose powerhouse, it still delivers an elegant rendition of traditional Pauillac flavors. The cherry was more like kirsch liqueur, the cassis, graphite, leather, gravel, tobacco, the bay leaf... all beautifully delineated and intense. The mid palate was polished to perfection. Tannins are sturdy enough but seamless & integrated. The finish persists and invites another drink. Got these on a great deal from K&L back in the day and glad I did! In a great drinking window right now.

Yeah yeah, I know this is not considered a great vintage, but this is a Cracking Claret! Leaner in style and not a verbose powerhouse, it still delivers an elegant rendition of traditional Pauillac flavors. The cherry was more like kirsch liqueur, the cassis, graphite, leather, gravel, tobacco, the bay leaf... all beautifully delineated and intense. The mid palate was polished to perfection. Tannins are sturdy enough but seamless & integrated. The finish persists and invites another drink. Got these on a great deal from K&L back in the day and glad I did! In a great drinking window right now.

1 person found it helpfulJun 13th, 2021
Michael Sinowitz

This was terrific. Classic Bordeaux. Nose of worn leather and cigar box. Tannins are resolved. Silky and elegant. Just a great bottle.

This was terrific. Classic Bordeaux. Nose of worn leather and cigar box. Tannins are resolved. Silky and elegant. Just a great bottle.

1 person found it helpfulApr 11th, 2021
Greg Gregory

Don't even think about it. Seriously. Do NOT pop the cork. 10 more years. Maybe.

Don't even think about it. Seriously. Do NOT pop the cork. 10 more years. Maybe.

1 person found it helpfulOct 17th, 2020
George Chen

Fleshy, graphite, lead pencil...great P!

Fleshy, graphite, lead pencil...great P!

1 person found it helpfulMay 12th, 2017
Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

A fantastic 2002, this lovely wine shows once more that today there aren't really bad years in Bordeaux, this Pontet Canet was well structured rich and tempting. Deep red, tempting rich multi layered nose ripe cherries, black current, coffee, cigar box, and tea leaves, full rich body, dry tannins, full of black fruit, high acidity and a long chewy finish. Was worth the wait, my score 90. Drink to 2022

A fantastic 2002, this lovely wine shows once more that today there aren't really bad years in Bordeaux, this Pontet Canet was well structured rich and tempting. Deep red, tempting rich multi layered nose ripe cherries, black current, coffee, cigar box, and tea leaves, full rich body, dry tannins, full of black fruit, high acidity and a long chewy finish. Was worth the wait, my score 90. Drink to 2022

Oct 23rd, 2016
Peter Yeung

Smells awesome, cedar, spice, and everything nice. Palate loses something.

Smells awesome, cedar, spice, and everything nice. Palate loses something.

Dec 24th, 2014
Michael Sinowitz

While not fully resolved, tannins have softened a great deal. Definitely leaning towards the savory side now with earthy, mineral notes. Enjoyable at 20 years old. A bit more muted than my bottle a year ago.

While not fully resolved, tannins have softened a great deal. Definitely leaning towards the savory side now with earthy, mineral notes. Enjoyable at 20 years old. A bit more muted than my bottle a year ago.

Jun 20th, 2022
Doug Powers

Sometimes no other wine will do for me than old-style (13% ABV) Bordeaux, and this lovely medium-aged Pauillac absolutely fills the bill, redfruits, structured but not really tannic, great acid balance really lifts the fruit, not a blockbuster, but very fine nonetheless, I could drink a lot of this!!

Sometimes no other wine will do for me than old-style (13% ABV) Bordeaux, and this lovely medium-aged Pauillac absolutely fills the bill, redfruits, structured but not really tannic, great acid balance really lifts the fruit, not a blockbuster, but very fine nonetheless, I could drink a lot of this!!

Nov 11th, 2023
ESF
9.4

See previous note: still showing beautifully, upon opening it was like walking into a cigar humidor w/vivid mix of tobacco & cedar. Plenty of kirsch & cassis, iron & graphite. Just flat out fantastic. Easter Sunday Pull

See previous note: still showing beautifully, upon opening it was like walking into a cigar humidor w/vivid mix of tobacco & cedar. Plenty of kirsch & cassis, iron & graphite. Just flat out fantastic. Easter Sunday Pull

Apr 9th, 2023