CHATEAU PONTET-CANET 5eme Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac 2004 MAGNUM

Description

The 2004 Château Pontet-Canet is a compelling wine that has received significant acclaim, including 93 points from Wine Enthusiast for its robust character and great ripeness. It features solid red berry fruits, a hint of mint, and firm tannins, indicating excellent aging potential for 10–15 years. The Wine Advocate awards it 92 points, highlighting its bouquet of pure blackberry, pencil lead, and tobacco, alongside hints of dried herbs. With a medium-bodied palate showcasing earthy black fruit, Vinous rates it 91-93 points, noting its richness and balanced acidity. James Suckling gives it 91 points for its firm, fresh profile, while Decanter also rates it 91 points for its attractive sweet blackberry nose, marking it as a classic Pauillac to enjoy now or age further.

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CHATEAU PONTET-CANET
Château Pontet-Canet is a distinguished winery located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France, classified as a 5ème Grand Cru Classé. Founded in the 18th century, the estate spans approximately 81 hectares and is celebrated for its high-quality wines, primarily crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

In recent years, Château Pontet-Canet has gained recognition for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming practices, making it one of the leading estates in the region to embrace sustainable viticulture. The winery's approach to winemaking emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the true terroir of Pauillac to shine through in the finished product.

Château Pontet-Canet's wines are known for their depth, complexity, and aging potential, often displaying rich flavors of dark fruits, spices, and earthy notes. The estate has consistently received high scores from critics, further cementing its reputation as a top producer in Bordeaux. With a focus on excellence and innovation, Château Pontet-Canet remains a sought-after choice for collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.

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WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 points
foursquare, powerful wine that shows great ripeness, solid, firm red berry fruits, a touch of mint, and black, almost impenetrable tannins. Expect this impressive wine to age for 10–15 years. — Roger Voss

THE WINE ADVOCATE 92 points
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Drink Date: 2016 - 2040
Tasted at the Pontet-Canet vertical in London, it seems clear that the 2004 Château Pontet-Canet is predestined to always fall under the shadow of the 2005. Don't overlook this gem. The bouquet delivers pure blackberry, pencil lead and tobacco notes that are more generous than the 2005 at the moment—open for business, you might say. There is an element of dried herbs here, a hint of black tar. The palate is medium-bodied and quite sturdy in the mouth, the tannins perhaps "abrasive" when juxtaposed against the 2005, however they are couched in unexpectedly intense earthy black fruit that frame a tannic finish. If you hanker for a sumptuous Pontet-Canet, then opt for 2003 or 2009, but if your predilection is for a more "classic" Pauillac, then 2004 Pontet-Canet fits the bill. Undoubtedly a great wine from Alfred Tesseron for the vintage, I would start, broaching bottles now but keep a stash back for 4-5 years' time when those tannins have softened. Tasted February 2016.
Published: Jul 29, 2016

VINOUS 91-93 points
Good fresh ruby-red. Cassis, minerals and spice cake on the nose. Rich, dense and aromatic on the palate, with currant, mineral and spice flavors framed and lifted by harmonious acidity. Sappy and delicious, with a serious structure for aging. This may well live its life in the shadow of the 2005, but it's a superb performance for its vintage. - Stephen Tanzer

JAMES SUCKLING 91 points
Firm and fresh with currant bush and sweet tobacco character that turns to cigar box. Medium-to-full body with a racy edge to it. Drink or hold.

DECANTER 91 points
Tasted by: Stephen Brook
Part of Bordeaux 2004: A 20-year retrospective
Drinking Window: 2015 - 2022
Sweet generous blackberry nose, vibrant and charming, with integrated oak. This is ripe and rounded, not hugely concentrated but the tannins give structure and density. This has moderate acidity, and is approaching its peak, showing very attractive fruit.