2007 Ch Pontet Canet 5ème Cru Pauillac

Tasting Notes

Goedhuis: Alfred had the lowest yields in the Médoc most likely the lowest in all of Bordeaux a mere 28 hl/ha (normally 40-45). He told us that he wanted to be sure that his selection was just right despite having a slight pained look on his face. Such is the sacrifice for excellence in such challenging circumstances. Needless to say, this forfeit in quantity was worth the gamble. The 2007 is an utter charm with a core of ultra sweet red cherry, blueberry and blackcurrant. On the finish, it turns seductive with brown sugar undertones yet remains sturdy with a bit of structure. It is a true pin-up in a vintage like 2007. Like Rita Hayworth on a 1940's wall. Drink 2012-2022
Robert Parker, April 2008, Score: 91-94: '
Wine Spectator, Score: 88-91: Crushed blackberry, currant and light licorice. Full-bodied, with lovely ripe tannins and a long, fruity finish. Balanced and refined. A beauty.

Pauillac

Due south of St Estèphe lies Pauillac, the king of Left Bank communes. It is home to three first growths as well as a plethora of other classified growths. Its renowned well-draining, gravelly soils enable its dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon to reach fantastic heights of complexity and concentration. As a result, the wines tend to be full-bodied with compact tannins and good freshness. Its aromatics are often what one associates with classic Bordeaux: pencil shavings, black currant and occasional mint. Some of the most famous châteaux of the commune are Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande and Lynch Bages.

Château Pontet-Canet

This star has been rising since 1994 when Alfred Tesseron began practicing Draconian-like measures to extract the most potential from his top Pauillac property. Some of the advances include debudding, de-leafing and severe crop thinning. Unlike many advanced Bordeaux cellars, their vinification vats are not set on "auto pilot" but are manually and meticulously controlled. They understand the needs of each vintage vary and respond accordingly.

Cab. Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Cab. Franc/ Petit Verdot

Probably the best grape blend in the world? Certainly that favoured by many of the most illustrious names on the left bank in Bordeaux - Chateaux Lafite, Latour, Margaux and Mouton-Rothschild to name a few - and other cult classic from around the world such as Ornellaia, Harlan and Dominus. A spread of grape varieties provides numerous benefits - from a practical perspective a range of ripening dates provides insurance against all but the most prolonged bad weather conditions, while their complimentary characteristics combine to create a whole that is very much greater than the sum of the parts.