1982 Pontet Canet (Unsaleable)
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Tasting notes
Tasted at the Pontet-Canet vertical in London—to be frank, I have never been a fan of the 1982 Château Pontet-Canet—this wine is a testament to how far the estate has traveled under Alfred Tesseron and Jean-Michel Comme. It is a long way behind its peers. Now it has a dry, rather skeletal bouquet with a disagreeable dustiness. You can hear the slam of the door...that's the last of the fruit exiting. The palate is now dominated by dry tannins. There is a hole where the 1982 fruit ought to be (and it was there a decade ago), although there is a modicum of redeeming freshness towards the finish. Your safest bet is to drink any bottles remaining, and load up on a more recent and superior vintage. Tasted February 2016.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Deep crimson. Menthol flavours. Rich and big palate impact, but a very particular (mineral?) flavour. Lots of tannin. Scent of stones. Hard work. (JR)
Backward and structured, though a bit coarse. Brilliant, deep ruby color, with a hint of garnet on the edge. Currant, floral and berry aromas. Big and chewy, with plenty of fruit and tannins.--1982 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2000. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1998
A solidly made effort, the 1982 Pontet Canet reveals some pink at the edge, but it remains a medium-bodied wine offering hints of menthol and red as well as black currants. Although it lacks concentration, the sensuality and suppleness provided by the vintage character are still appealing. It is best consumed over the next 3-4 years. Release price: ($120.00/case) Wine Advocate.June, 2009
About the producer
Ch. Pontet-Canet is one of Pauillac’s top estates, and one of its largest at 81 hectares. Although classified as a Fifth Growth, these days it consistently competes with the First Growths