CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET
BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2009 & 2010
Why Buy: Pontet-Canet is the most buzzed-about estate in Bordeaux, and today we bring you back-to-back 100-point greatness — with pristine provenance, directly from the château: their 2009 and 2010 vintages, both of which are showing absolutely beautifully in the glass right now. These wines speak powerfully to the greatness of their terroir, and to winemaker Alfred Tesseron’s consummate artistry, and affirm what we and many others have been saying for years: that this Pauillac powerhouse has long surpassed its Fifth Growth status, and has now joined the ranks of the non-First Growth elite, alongside Ducru-Beaucaillou, Cos d'Estournel, and Palmer.
What They’re Saying: Here's Robert Parker, in his 100-point review of the 2009 vintage: "An amazing wine in every sense … 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.” A year later, Pontet-Canet released its 2010 vintage, and Parker was just as enamored, awarding it 100 points as well — an astounding feat for any vineyard, let alone a Fifth Growth: "An absolutely amazing wine ... off-the-charts massiveness and intensity but never comes across as heavy, overbearing or astringent. … It is very easy to become jaded tasting such great wines from a great vintage, but it is really a privilege to taste something as amazing as this.”
Our Tasting Notes: You know immediately with both wines, even before you’ve taken your first sip, that you’re in the presence of sheer magnificence. The 2009 Pontet-Canet exudes a breathtaking bouquet of crushed blackberries, warm plum compote, freshly tilled earth, and subtly toasted oak. On the palate, it shows a marvelous push-pull — fusing dense, velvety tannins and electric, vibrant acidity to propel the layers of dark fruit, licorice, and graphite across the long, persistent finish. A wine of extraordinary poise and precision. The 2010 vintage follows suit, offering, if anything, an even more intense and focused expression of Pauillac. Scents of ripe cassis, smoky spice, and crushed violets leap from the glass, while the palate delivers a masterclass in concentrated power and finesse.
Specs: Both wines are Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, with a healthy percentage of Merlot in the mix for softening, and smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot for depth and dimension. Both were aged for 18-24 months in French oak barrels.
The Story: Pontet-Canet has enjoyed a remarkable run since Tesseron took over as proprietor, in 1994. Collectors know that this cross-street neighbor of Mouton Rothschild has exceeded its classification for many years now, with many connoisseurs speaking of its wines in the same breath as Lafite and Latour. While his contemporaries increasingly embrace technology, Tesseron resists, instead leaning on the timeless methods of his forebears. No decisions about harvesting or fermentation are made with the help of a computer, and he even uses horses instead of machinery in some of the blocks. No chemical weed killers are allowed. Yields are strictly reduced. Indeed, so committed is Tesseron to biodynamic principles that, in 2010, Pontet became the first major Bordeaux producer to earn official organic certification, a recognition that has had an enormous influence on other producers in the region and beyond. The extraordinary quality of the wine now has proven the wisdom of his decisions With other châteaux following suit in moving towards biodynamics (including Latour, Rauzan-Segla, Smith-Haut Lafitte, and Palmer to name a few), Pontet-Canet has unquestionably changed the face of Bordeaux.
ABV: Both wines are 13.5%.
Fun Fact: A proud Luddite, Tesseron draws upon the time-honored traditions of his ancestors, making all harvesting and fermentation choices by hand without the aid of computers.
Our Guarantee: We only buy and sell direct from the estate, ensuring that your wines are handled correctly at every step of the process and will arrive with pristine provenance. Don’t hesitate to secure these two bottles of Bordeaux brilliance for your collection today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2025.) With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, & TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, October 21st, 2024.