100 Robert Parker
An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically – a rarity in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke, licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years. The tannins are elevated, but they are sweet and beautifully integrated as are the acidity, wood and alcohol (which must be in excess of 14%). This vineyard, which is situated on the high plateau of Pauillac adjacent to Mouton Rothschild, appears to have done everything perfectly in 2009. This cuvee should shut down in the cellar and re-open in a decade or more. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2075.
19 Rene Gabriel
Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Intensives Bouquet noch blauen und schwarzen Beeren, Cassis, ein Hauch Dörrbanane darin und nussige Konturen, zeigt viel Frische und gleichzeitig eine wunderschöne Cabernet-Reife in der Nase. Im Gaumen von einer noch nie erlebten Souplesse, viel Schmelz über den fetten Tanninen, im Innern fein mürbe Tannine die dem Körper Fleisch verleihen. Wie sagte doch der damalige Kellermeister Jean-Paul Gardère von Latour? Wenn ein Pauillac in der Nase nach Banane duftet, dann ist es ein ganz grosser Wein! Recht hatte er, was mit diesem genialen 2009er Pontet-Canet bewiesen ist. warten (2019 - 2036)
96 Wine Spectator
This is amazingly expressive now considering how huge it is, with stunning espresso and warm fig confiture aromas followed by lush layer after layer of blackberry paste, cassis and plum sauce. A terrific loam underpinning strides in on the finish, which is weighty but sports serious cut. Equal parts fruit and earth. Best from 2018 through 2038. 26,665 cases made. –JM