95 Robert Parker
The 2006 is a wine to stockpile, especially for those in their thirties and forties as it needs another decade to reach maturity, after which it should keep for 30+ years. This vineyard, just south of Mouton Rothschild, has produced an opaque bluish/purple-colored 2006 with an extraordinarily pure nose of graphite, charcoal, sweet creme de cassis, and a hint of scorched earth. Incredible concentration, stunning richness, and a 60-second finish result in a wine that transcends the vintage as well as this estate?s 1855 classification. This enormously endowed, modern day classic is a legend in the making. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050+.
Enormous credit is due proprietor Alfred Tesseron for turning things around at this estate in 1994, and continuing to produce first-growth level wines. Pontet-Canet is one of the few bio-dynamically farmed vineyards in the Medoc, and Tesseron is such a perfectionist in both the vineyard and wine cellars that his nickname among other bordelais is ?Monsieur Bonsai.?
18 Rene Gabriel
60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 33 % Merlot, 5 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot. 35 hl/ha. Schon beim Einschenken eine beeindruckende Farbe aufweisend, Violett-Schwarz. Explosives Bouquet, Cassis in verschwenderischer Form, tiefe Würznoten, Rauch, Lakritze, dicht aber auch kompakt, Dörrbananen im Hintergrund. Auch im Gaumen dicht, gut stützende Tannine, wieder dieser frische, aromatische Beerenton aufweisend, in der Adstringenz, kräftig, fordernd muskulös. Erinnert an die alten grossen Jahrgänge von Pontet Canet und scheint so sehr typisch zu sein, von der Vinifikation her adaptiert und somit zur neuen Epoche dieses hervorragend geführten Weingutes passend. Wird immer vielleicht etwas rustikal bleiben, was ihn zu einem sehr klassischen Cinquième macht warten (2018 - 2035)
93 Wine Spectator
Blackberry, currant and plum tart aromas lead to a full body, with a solid core of fruit, sweet fruit and silky tannins. Generous and round, with lovely richness for the vintage. Best after 2014. 23,330 cases made. ?JS
