Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac (Grand Cru Classe) 2014

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.

Lovely deep colour to this, clearly from ripe grapes rather than any extraction process as well.

On the nose this wine is wonderfully expansive, open knit and all-encompassing.

There are waves of wild strawberry and dense raspberry characters which have an intoxicating, almost heady and exotic feel.

This level of density and complexity is rare in 2014, reserved for only the most serious and aristocratic of Left Bank wines.

The palate is equally compelling, combining the astonishing purity and sweetness of fruit which the property has become so well known for, along with a trace of savoury, aged beef, almost tapenade character.

Alongside this there is great balancing acidity which combines with ultra-fine tannins to give this wine lift and further precision.

This is another top drawer vintage from Pontet-Canet, which shows incredible finesse given the scale and volume of the wine.

It does beg the question though, just how can Alfred & Melanie Tesseron’s wine keep improving? They certainly seem to be doing it in 2014.  

A harmonious and energetic wine and a great success.