Chateau Pontet Canet 2024

WEINWISSER: "52 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 43 % Merlot, 4 % Petit Verdot, 1 % Cabernet Franc, 50 % neue Barriques, 15 % einjährige Barriques, 35 % Amphoren. Dicht verwobenes ungeheuer tiefgründiges Bouquet, zartes Veilchen- und Irisparfüm sowie Grafit. Im zweiten Ansatz kommen reife Waldhimbeere, heller Tabak und Granatapfel zum Vorschein. Am royalen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, straff ausgerichtet, die cremig-reifen Tannine sind fein ummantelt, balancierte Rasse und perfekt trainierter Körper. Im konzentrierten, sehr langen Finale pure Harmonie, rote und blaue Beeren, Heidekraut, gepaart mit erhabener Adstringenz. Das ist der beste Pauillac und einer der fünf besten Weine dieses Jahrgangs."

DECANTER: "Such an outstanding wine from Pontet this year. Ripe blackcurrant and dark chocolate, very expressive, open and scented on the nose. Concentrated, smooth and so satisfying on the palate, great texture and energy straight away - lifted but there’s power here, this isn't a weak wine at all. Wonderful finesse and texture with a long length. This is very complete and satisfying and really justifies the decisions made in the vineyard this year - late harvesting starting on October 4th when many were finishing. Juicy, fresh acidity combines with ripe tannins and lovely purity. Very accomplished - a great Bordeaux and Pauillac. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Ageing 50% new barrels, 15% one year old barrels, 35% concrete amphoras."

VINUM: "Rubinrot leuchtend, expressiver Duft, viel Cassis, Menthol, Brombeere, Veilchen, kühler Kamin, öffnet sich im Glas, wird komplexer; am Gaumen leichtfüssiger, weniger kompakt als in den grossen Jahren, die Tannine sind fein mit der knackigen Frucht verwoben, hervorragend eingebundene Säure, ungemein präzis, mit grosser Spannung und einem aromatisch langanhaltenden, rotfruchtigen Finale. Ein finessenreicher Pontet-Canet, der früh Trinkspass bieten wird und dennoch gut reifen kann."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A light but juicy wine that's fresh and fluid, with good depth of blue fruit and violets, a medium body and nicely reactive tannins. Crunchy, with a delicate mid-palate and firm, chalky tannins. Long, balanced and pristine finish. This will show early appeal. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2024 Château Pontet-Canet is deep purple-hued and delivers beautiful aromas of black and blue fruits, violets, graphite, sweet tobacco, and damp earth. Based on 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot, with the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it was harvested between September 26 and October 11 and is aging 14 to 16 months in 50% new barrels, 35% amphora, and 15% once-used wood. Medium-bodied and seamless on the palate, it has pure, polished tannins, integrated acidity, and outstanding length. The alcohol is 13.1% with a pH of 3.8."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2024 Pontet-Canet underlines the fact that daring to harvest late paid dividends in this challenging vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, black raspberries and plums mingled with accents of rose petals, licorice and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and integrated, with mid-palate density that's all too rare this year, it's layered, suave and seamless, concluding with a long, sapid finish. Picking began on September 26 and concluded on October 11, with the heart of the estate's old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon coming in between the seventh and the ninth, well after many châteaux had finished their harvest. Greater reactivity during the season means that Pontet-Canet's vineyards are gaining in vigor, while in the winery, a lighter touch with extraction, systematic climate control and a wholesale refinement of the estate's cooperage choices have brought new harmony and sensuality to this estate's wines. That has combined with a willingness to take risks with harvest dates to deliver what is clearly one of the wines of the vintage. The blend is roughly half Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple colored. Strolls confidently out of the glass with notes of ripe, juicy plums, wild blueberries, and red currants, leading to suggestions of lilac, cardamom, fertile loam, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and fresh with wonderfully plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant."

ANSON: "Vibrant ruby in colour with violet edging, this is beautifully measured, with a careful release of black fruits. Puts the focus on the floral side of Cabernet Sauvignon on the aromatics, with rose petals, chamomile, fragrant tomato leaf and lilac. There is austerity on the opening, with tight architecture but as it opens juice begins to flow through the pumice and slate-textured tannins, and this delivers a finessed, slim-style of Pauillac, with plenty of ageing potential and quiet confidence. Harvest September 26 through to October 11. 3.8ph, 50% new oak, 35% concrete amphoras. One of the successes of the vintage. Tasted twice."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a good depth of color, the wine bursts with floral aromatics, black currants, licorice, cocoa, Asian spices, and wet earth in its open perfume. The palate is lively, energetic, and already expressive. Medium-bodied, with layers of currants, minerality, herbs, mint, and blackberries, the experience on your palate is fresh and refreshing, with good volume for the vintage. This is classic in nature, blending influences from the vineyard with its fruits. The wine blends 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.13.1% ABV, pH 3.8. Harvesting took place September 26 - October 11. The success of the vintage is due to the workers' efforts in the vineyard, which include adding extra grass to remove excess water, exercising patience, selective picking, and avoiding overreactions in the vineyards and cellars. Pontet Canet led the 2024 campaign as it was the first major release from the vintage. The wine is aging in a combination of 50% new, French oak barrels, 35% Amphora, and neutral oak. Drink from 2029-2055."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife Zwetschken, Brombeerkonfit, zarte Kräuterwürze, kandierte Orangenzesten, tabakige Nuancen. Mittlerer Körper, reife Zwetschken, Brombeerkonfit, frisch strukturiert, reife, tragende Tannine, feine Süße im Abgang, mineralisch im Finale, bereits gut entwickelt, gutes Reifepotenzial."