2014 Pontet Canet
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2014 Pontet Canet has a high-toned nose, a little more VA than its peers. Macerated cherries, iodine and pressed violets come through with aeration. It exhibits some exotic traits, though I would not describe them as unattractive; they are just perhaps missing Pauillac DNA. The palate is medium-bodied with a juicy entry, slightly lower acidity and rounded with a plush, Merlot-driven finish. An atypically sumptuous Pauillac. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deepest garnet. Rich and ripe with damson fruit and some oaky char. Very chewy, compact tannins and a little austere overall because the fruit is not rich enough for the structure. (JH)
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Harvest 29 September to 10 October. Crimson to the rim. Initially subdued but opens with aeration. Firm, minerally and upright with dark-fruit notes and a dash of mint. Tannins compact and fresh. Really quite classic and Pauillac in style but the appealing fruit makes it approachable already. A pleasant surprise among the less celebrated years. Should be good value. (JL)
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