1999 Pontet Canet
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Pontet-Canet has long been a favorite vintage of mine. At the time, the vineyard was in better shape than it had been, according to Jean-Michel Comme, though organic/biodynamic viticulture had not yet been introduced. The bouquet is very well defined and focused, offering blackberry, cedar and a hint of pine forest gently unfolding. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, plenty of black fruit and fine grip. There is a greater sense of rondeur compared to young bottles that I encountered, and touches of white pepper and clove appear toward the satisfyingly persistent finish. One of the best Pauillacs of this vintage. Tasted from an ex- château bottle at the estate.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Tasted at the Pontet-Canet vertical in London, the 1999 Château Pontet-Canet put in a respectable showing and demonstrated more class than either the 1996 or1982. Well-defined on the nose, there is a satisfying delivery of blackberry and blueberry fruit infused with dried blood and incense as it moves into its secondary stage. The palate is medium-bodied with classic tobacco-infused black fruit. There is nice salinity here, not a complex Pauillac by any stretch of the imagination, although there is impressive precision on the conservative finish. Probably at its peak now, the 1999 Pontet-Canet is a wine that never had lofty ambitions, but a wine that I would welcome on my table. Tasted February 2016.
Solid, a little sweet and certainly firm. Glossy texture but pretty solid and just a little chunky but a lot more life than most 1999s. (JR)
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