2016 Pontet Canet
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Pontet Canet has a strange and rather monotone bouquet that lacks the amplitude of its peers. The palate is fleshy and rounded, more red than black fruit, lower acidity, with just a little warmth on the otherwise pleasant finish. This is totally different to the bottle tasted at the château. Would the real Pontet Canet please stand up? Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Enthusiast
More reviews and scores
Brambled raspberry and black cherry, a burst of mint leaf and fennel, this has grip and richness through the mid palate, high rosemary and sage spice, combines muscular tannins with a creaminess that is very enticing - showing that even if high alcohol for Pauillac at 14.5, this takes it firmly in its stride. Seriously impressive. Jean‑Michel Comme winemaker, as he was for 30 years until 2020.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Harvest 28 September to 12 October. A strapping, broad-shouldered wine. Purple-black to the rim. Pronounced blackcurrant-pastille aroma and flavour. Enormous depth, the palate full and intense, the fruit sweet but a saline edge on the finish. Exudes power with its massive tannic frame. Certainly not for the faint-hearted but has the capacity to age. (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