2024 Château Pontet-Canet 5. Cru Classé

Robert Parker - 94-96

The 2024 Pontet-Canet underlines the fact that daring to harvest late paid dividends in this challenging vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, black raspberries and plums mingled with accents of rose petals, licorice and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and integrated, with mid-palate density that's all too rare this year, it's layered, suave and seamless, concluding with a long, sapid finish. Picking began on September 26 and concluded on October 11, with the heart of the estate's old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon coming in between the seventh and the ninth, well after many châteaux had finished their harvest. Greater reactivity during the season means that Pontet-Canet's vineyards are gaining in vigor, while in the winery, a lighter touch with extraction, systematic climate control and a wholesale refinement of the estate's cooperage choices have brought new harmony and sensuality to this estate's wines. That has combined with a willingness to take risks with harvest dates to deliver what is clearly one of the wines of the vintage. The blend is roughly half Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

James Suckling - 95-96

A light but juicy wine that's fresh and fluid, with good depth of blue fruit and violets, a medium body and nicely reactive tannins. Crunchy, with a delicate mid-palate and firm, chalky tannins. Long, balanced and pristine finish. This will show early appeal. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.

Vinous - 94-96

The 2024 Pontet-Canet is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted here in some time, as in a long time. Brisk acids and beams of tannin shape a mid-weight, classically built Pontet-Canet unlike any I have tasted. The 2024 is not an obvious wine, it does not have the opulence of most recent years, rather it is a wine that impresses with its energy, tension and class. Floral, spice and mineral notes stain the palate in this vibrant, beautifully sculpted Pontet-Canet. The 2024 is seriously impressive, but it is also less immediate than what was once the norm because of a shift towards a style that favors greater energy and vibrancy than in the recent past. The evolution here is going to be fascinating to follow in the coming years. Tasted three times.

Decanter - 97

Such an outstanding wine from Pontet this year. Ripe blackcurrant and dark chocolate, very expressive, open and scented on the nose. Concentrated, smooth and so satisfying on the palate, great texture and energy straight away - lifted but there’s power here, this isn't a weak wine at all. Wonderful finesse and texture with a long length. This is very complete and satisfying and really justifies the decisions made in the vineyard this year - late harvesting starting on October 4th when many were finishing. Juicy, fresh acidity combines with ripe tannins and lovely purity. Very accomplished - a great Bordeaux and Pauillac. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Ageing 50% new barrels, 15% one year old barrels, 35% concrete amphoras.