Chateau Pontet Canet 2005

Chateau Pontet Canet 2005

#7Wine SpectatorTop 100 of 2008

Very intense color and nose, marked by notes of cherry, blackberry and redcurrant with traces of vanilla, licorice and cedar. The attack is full to the palate. The tannins of great smoothness reveal a fine elegance. The finish, with no trace of aggressiveness, is marked by a good length.

Critical Acclaim

97 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Tasted at the Pontet-Canet vertical in London, the 2005 Chteau Pontet-Canet has long been one of the stars of the vintage and this might well be the best of over a dozen showings of this wine. However, do not expect ostentation on the nose. This is 2005 and like many wines of this vintage, even with considerable decanting, it remained broody and introspective on the nose, as if it is checking you out and seeing if you are worthy. Once you have been accepted, then it swings the doors open to reveal gorgeous scents of blackberry, briary and cassis fruit, perhaps a little more sous-Bois than I have noticed compared to previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied, but dense and structuredcertainly a more masculine Pontet-Canet built for long-term aging. Yet it retains marvelous freshness and vitality all the way through to the pencil-lead, quite saline finish. I suspect that the 2009 Pontet-Canet is more approachable than 2005, so heeding Robert Parker’s sage advice, afford this up to ten years in your cellar and then reap the rewards of patience.

97 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2005 Pontet Canet is a bruiser thats still not anywhere near primetime. Blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, and saddle leather all emerge from this concentrated, powerful, structured 2005 that has an incredible amount of fruit, yet no shortage of ripe tannin, extract, and length. It needs another 4-5 years (or more) to hit maturity, but its an incredible wine thats going to reward patience.

96 Wine Spectator

Black in color, with aromas of blackberry, black licorice, tar, mineral and fresh flowers. Full-bodied and powerful, with ultrafine tannins that last for minutes on the palate. A polished, thought-provoking wine. Shows the wonderful purity of Cabernet Sauvignon.

94 Wine Enthusiast

Despite its core of strength and power and obvious aging ability, this is already a delicious wine, with mint aromas, and ripe fruit masking the solid tannins. This estate has been on a roll for several years, and this 2005 shows why.