A stunning wine for this vintage although it’s still a bit shy on the nose (more spice than fruit showing than now). There’s wet earth, too, but on the palate it’s bursting with ripe yet subtle flavors. Very long and complex finish that goes on and on.

The 2014 Pontet-Canet seems to have put on quite a bit of weight and volume since I first tasted it from barrel. Ripe, juicy tannins wrap around a core of intense dark cherry, plum, spice, lavender and tobacco. Today, it is the wine's sheer intensity and vertical structure that stands out. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle until at least age ten, and even that is almost certainly not going to be enough time for the 2014 to show the full breadth of its potential. The transformation the 2014 has undergone from a delicate, nuanced Pauillac to a wine of depth is quite remarkable. Tasted three times. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, vinified in equal parts cement and oak and aged in a combination of 50% new oak, 35% amphora and 15% once used barrels. This is a gorgeous wine from the Tesseron family and the team led by Technical Director Jean-Michel Comme.

Drinking Window: 2024 - 2044

Reviewer Name: Antonio Galloni

Review Date: 1st February 2017

The 2014 Pontet-Canet, now in bottle, was tasted twice during my trip to Bordeaux. It has an attractive bouquet: graphite tinged black fruit, incense and violets, perhaps a little more hedonistic than I envisaged when I tasted it from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannin thanks to the keen line of acidity. I like the precision of this Pontet-Canet. It feels linear and correct, pencil lead notes developing towards the second half, more quintessentially Pauillac than previous vintages, with what you might describe as a classic Pauillac finish that retains the focus that I remarked upon from barrel. Tasted February 2017.

Drinking Window: 2020 - 2045

Reviewer Name: Neal Martin

Review Date: 31st March 2017

Inky, dark in color with purple accents in its hue, this wine packs a punch with its full-bodied style. Surprisingly elegant for Pontet Canet, this wine is fresh with sweet, ripe fruits accented by chocolate and black cherry tones. The tannins are neat and refined, leaving you with the sensation of licorice, chocolate-infused cassis and black and blue fruits. 93-95 Pts

Drinking Window: 2024 - 2034

Review Date: 1st March 2015

This delivers a notable menthol note, showing an ample core of well-steeped blackberry, plum and black currant fruit. A bright anise streak checks in on the back end, with a slightly loamy structure imparting a broad feel through the finish. Needs to pull together a bit more, but the fruit is there.

The 2014 Pontet Canet is a controversial showing, dividing the participants who unanimously nailed its identity. It has an opulent but well defined bouquet with black cherries, red plum, raspberry coulis and cedar aromas. Perhaps this is a little exotic for a Pauillac? The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, plenty of dark berry fruit laced with cedar and black tea, leading to a lightly spiced finish that is just missing some finesse and precision. This is undoubtedly an enjoyable Bordeaux but I have to be parsimonious with my score because although I hope that this wine would steer itself towards the stylistic traits of Pauillac, this blind showing suggests that it is veering somewhere else. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Drinking Window: 2020 - 2040

Reviewer Name: Neal Martin

Review Date: 1st March 2018