5th Grand Cru Classé in 1855
Free shipping from 1000€ Tax excl (US and Europe)
Perched on the heights of the Pauillac appellation, Château Pontet-Canet is one of the most unmissable crus of the Médoc. Its founder Jean-François de Pontet, squire to the king and governor of the Médoc, acquired it in 1725, then his heirs bought a few years later the neighboring land of the place called Canet: thus was born Château Pontet-Canet.
The Domaine will reach the title of Fifth Grand Cru Classé during the classification of the wines of 1855 officialized for the universal exhibition of Paris. It will be acquired by Herman Cruse, a Bordeaux merchant of Danish origin, a decade later and will then be renovated from top to bottom. It is only when Guy Tesseron bought it in 1975, already owner of Château Lafon-Rochet to Saint-Estèphe, that Domaine starts to be reborn of its brightness. His son Alfred will reveal the extraordinary potential of his terroir from 1994, by converting the Domaine to biodynamic agriculture with the support of his steward and trusted man Jean-Michel Comme. Today, it is his daughter Justine Tesseron who continues his work, making Pontet-Canet shine on the wine scene.
The Château Pontet-Canet reigns today over an 81-hectare vineyard, entirely conducted according to the principles of biodynamics since the 2004 vintage. The Domaine is thus a precursor and a reference in the world of the Grands Crus Classés of Bordeaux. It was certified by the Biodyvin and Ecocert labels in 2010 and then by the Demeter label in 2014.
The grape varieties on the property are Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (2%). They are planted on beautiful gravel soils containing clay-limestone substrate in places.
The Château Pontet-Canet rightly has a large following, as its history rewards the work of a daring gamble; the wines have a wonderful burst of fruit, depth and harmony that is simply divine.
The 2017 vintage was marked by several climatic events, but the greatest terroirs of the Médoc, benefiting from the proximity of the estuary as is the case for Château Pontet-Canet, were spared. The rest of the viticultural season was very promising, especially with a beautiful warm and sunny summer that allowed the grapes to reach an excellent maturity at harvest time, with a very qualitative oenological potential.
Blend of the 2017 vintage: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
The color is a beautiful purple, tinged with elegant slightly tile-like reflections.
The nose expresses beautiful notes of black cherry and blackberry mixed with peppery spices, licorice, cocoa and a floral hint of faded rose.
In the mouth, it shows a silky attack, evolving on a fleshy body and releasing flavors of stewed black fruits and pepper. The tannins are elegant and racy, giving it a lot of freshness until a delightful long finish. The inimitable mark of a great Pauillac wine.
Food and wine pairing:
Château Pontet-Canet 2017 could perfectly be enjoyed with beef fillet in brioche, lamb mouse confit with garlic, filet mignon in Betty Bossi crust, small game such as jugged hare or rabbit de Garenne.
For a pairing with cheese, prefer pressed and uncooked cheeses: cantal, old mimolette, morbier, saint-nectaire and tomme de Savoie.
For dessert, it will be appreciated with a chocolate bavarois, a pear-chocolate charlotte or an Opera cake.
Cellaring potential and tasting:
Château Pontet-Canet 2017 is a wine that requires a few more years in the cellar to refine its great potential, and it will reach its peak between 2030 and 2032.
However, it can be enjoyed now if properly prepared. To do so, take care to place the bottle the night before in the serving room at room temperature. Open and decant the bottle at least 4 to 5 hours before tasting.
The bottles will be kept in the cellar protected from the light, lying down, at an optimal hygrometric degree of 70%.
