Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2022 1.5Ltr

#29 in Top 100 Wines, 2025. A sensational Pauillac as well as the finest wine from this château since the 2009 (although the 2010 might have something to say about that), the 2022 Château Pontet-Canet sports a deep purple hue as well as a heavenly perfume of crème de cassis, smoke, incense, leafy tobacco, and chocolate. This beauty has sensational purity, a deep, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, flawless balance, and incredible precision and detail in its aromas and flavors. Despite its opulence and power, it has a solid underlying structure, and its tannins are sweet and polished; it has remarkable depth and concentration, and it just does everything right. I wouldn't be surprised to see this firm up slightly over the coming 3-5 years, although I don't expect it to truly shut down. It should have 40, 50, if not 60 years of overall longevity. The 2022 is based on 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels, 35% in amphora, and the rest in once-used oak.

#85 in Top 100 World Wines, 2025. The concentration of dried herbs such as thyme, sage and mint with blackcurrants and Spanish cedar is mesmerizing. Full-bodied with a dense and intense palate, this has creamy, crunchy tannins and a long and flavorful finish that goes on for minutes. Punchy and rich with lots of power. The real identity of Pontet-Canet comes through despite the hot and dry growing year. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2029.

97-99 Barrel Sample. Great waves of spice and ripe tannins have been smoothed by the partial aging in amphoras. The wine is full of ripe black fruits with a sense of richness as well as balance. Obviously with great aging potential to go with the purity of the fruit and aromas.

The 2022 Pontet-Canet is a super-refined wine from the Tesseron family. It is perhaps a touch less opulent than in years past, but in exchange, it boasts more energy, focus and cut, all qualities that are so welcome here. Bright red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and mocha all build effortlessly in the glass. In 2022, Pontet Canet is shaping up to be an absolute gem.

Dark and ripe on the nose, with deep blackcurrant, cocoa powder, and espresso notes alongside fragrant dried herbs, adding a savoury elegance. The palate is clean and crisp, offering a streamlined weight and a lovely bite to the tannins — powdery yet refined, with hints of milk chocolate and bitter orange. Restrained power meets finesse, with a touch of spice and soft warmth on the finish. Still youthful and compact, but incredibly detailed, with pure, bright fruit shining through. One of the finest Pontet-Canets in years - round, complete, and beautifully textured. Bright, finessed, and highly accessible.

The blend is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 4% each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and the élevage was very typical, with 50% new oak, 35% tiny amphorae and 15% used oak. The yield was "not that high" but as usual the team here keep this figure close to their chest. Of note they lost a little Petit Verdot to frost on April 4th, early in the season, and dehydration was the main driver pushing down yields. A nose of delicately confit dark fruits, on the edge for me but not going too far, concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry with olive and slate nuances. A surprisingly bold character appears at the start of the palate, the fruit here sitting within a shell of structure, a polished and crisp outer surface, with a slowly building inner core of berry and damson fruits, with touches of cherry liqueur, all set within a charming texture which comes out on a second taste, with savoury edges to the fruit, tar and slate and olive and liquorice, with a core of ripe, finely knit tannins. This feels cohesive and concentrated, conveying the character of the vintage with honesty, but holding on to a sense of freshness as well. Beautifully handled tannins at the very end, and a correct, structured finish. A wine of great harmony here, but on the edge in terms of fruit profile and alcohol, which comes in at 14.8%, with 14.5% on the label.

Alluring and smoldering, with dark violet, iris and anise notes infusing the core of plum sauce and dark currant preserves. A bolt of cast iron runs underneath, and there's a late tug of freshly tilled humus on the finish, all while the fruit keeps the upper hand. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2042.