Ch. PONTET CANET, Pauillac, 2012
Over the centuries Pontet-Canet has been owned by only three different families. Today it is run by Alfred Tesseron who took over the management of the family estate in 1994. Tesseron has steadily improved the quality even as he has converted the land to biodynamic farming, reverted to using horse for much of the work in the vineyards, installed a new vat room with concrete tanks, and (beginning with he 2012 vintage) begun using concrete amphoras for the aging of a part of each vintage (with the majority still going into oak barrels. Under Tesseron’s guidance, Ch. Pontet Canet has moved from an also ran into the upper echelon of Pauillac.
Ch. PONTET CANET, Pauillac, 2012 ($99.74)
A biodynamically grown blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Verdot fermented in conical concrete tanks using pump-overs and aged in a mix of new (1/3) and used oak barrels (1/3) and concrete amphora (1/3). Purple color with well formed legs; dry, medium full-bodied with balanced acidity; medium-chewy phenolics. Supple balanced, elegant. Mix of red and black fruit with structure and finesse. Tobacco leaf and dust. Lovely feel. Delicious. BearScore: 94+.
Leave a Reply