Chateau Pontet Canet Grand Cru Classe 2014 (Wooden Case)

A stunning wine for this vintage although it’s still a bit shy on the nose (more spice than fruit showing than now). There’s wet earth, too, but on the palate it’s bursting with ripe yet subtle flavors. Very long and complex finish that goes on and on.

, with what you might describe as a classic Pauillac finish that retains the focus that I remarked upon from barrel. Tasted February 2017. Drink 2020-2045

The 2014 Pontet-Canet is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet colored, it needs coaxing to reveal a profound core of baked plums, creme de cassis, and cigar box with wafts of tapenade, wood smoke, and mossy bark, plus a spicy hint of cumin seed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has an impressive foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and lively acidity supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing on a lingering peppery note.

If anything, denser and bluer than the 2015! Polished tannins and not the most intense on the nose but with great balance and suavity. A charming vintage though less intense than some 2014s. Very dry finish.
Drink 2024-2040

Alfred Tesseron has been making classic Pauillac here since the early 1990's and recent vintages have been amongst the best ever, scoring impressively when shown in blind tastings. Grapes are manually sorted by a team of 30 people on specially made sorting tables. The vineyard has been organic and bio-dynamic for 10 years and is worked by horses. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 50% new oak, 15% one year old barrels, 35% concrete amphoras. This is the 10th vintage produced biodynamically. Bright purple colour in the glass. Blueberry, sweet vanilla and black cherry on the nose. Rich and enticing aromas. The palate is plush with high levels of glycerol and a juicy blueberry, blackcurrant and black cherry fruit core. The rich charcoal and toast notes from new oak are lifted by refreshing acidity. The finish is smooth and ripe, with a lovely sweet vanilla note on the long finish.