Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac (Grand Cru Classe) 2012

There are a handful of châteaux in 2011 that surpass the quality of certain of the First Growths and Pontet-Canet is certainly in that elite group. It has a sweet richness and exotic weight that totally defies the vintage. Creamy, yet plump and fruity with such purity and freshness it really does take your breath away. I wouldn’t say it’s better or worse than 2010 or 2009, just that it has exceptional quality and it’s different. Cooler, possibly more elegant but just as rewarding. I described Lynch-Bages, its neighbour, as Led Zeppelin, in their pomp of the early 1970’s. If that’s the case, Pontet-Canet must be Pink Floyd a few years later, not quite as rock 'n roll, but slightly more mellow and considered. But, as no music collection would be devoid of either band, no collection of great wine cannot have either châteaux in. Both radiant, powerful and essential. Superb.

The wine has a deep, glittering hue and a complex nose on which black fruit aromas mingle with graphite and spice notes.

The structure on the palate is particularly dense and long, with chiselled tannins of incredible precision.

A 2012 of remarkable purity and energy, with fantastic fruit and radiance that take it to the peak.

For the first time, Pontet-Canet matured nearly a third of the vintage in concrete amphoras.