2024 Château Pontet-Canet
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Tasting Notes
The team at Ch. Pontet-Canet held their nerve in 2024, holding out for perfectly ripe fruit, only starting to bring Merlot in from 26th September, finishing the last parcels of Cabernet on 11th October. The result is impressive – ripe and dark, notes of cocoa and cloves sit alongside blackcurrant fruit on the precise nose. The palate is concentrated and balanced, combining black berry fruit with fresh acidity and chalky tannins that coat the mouth, yet don’t obscure the fruit. It’s medium-bodied, with depth and density – especially for the vintage – and a long, bright, mouth-watering finish. It is one of the real highlights of Pauillac this year. 13.1% alcohol. Aged in 50% new oak, 35% concrete amphorae and 15% one-year-old oak. Blend: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Peter Moser, Falstaff
More reviews and scores
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, 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. One of the successes of the vintage. Harvest September 26 through to October 11. 3.8ph, 50% new oak, 35% concrete amphoras. Tasted twice.
Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Ripe plum, blackberry confit, delicate herbal spice, candied orange zest, tobacco nuances. Medium body, ripe plums, blackberry confit, fresh structure, ripe, firm tannins, fine sweetness on the mineral finish, already well developed, good ageing potential.
The twin themes of Cabernet and Merlot combine beautifully here in a harmonious, silky wine that already shows uncommon balance and precocity. While the humans might have been stressed, 2024 Pontet-Canet is nothing of the sort. If prices relax, as was hinted, I can see this being a no-brainer to purchase because it will drink early and hold well, thanks to its innate balance. As always, the flavour and stance that Pontet-Canet delivers are all its own, and fans will be delighted here. Medium-weight, sensual, and haunting, this is a classic case of years of experience paying off, coupled with deep-seated trust in one’s terroir and those hard-working people looking after it.
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