Chateau Pontet Canet 2010

The team formed an optimistic view of Pontet Canet 2010 from an impressive vertical tasting on Chateau Pontet Canet conducted by Alfred Tesseron at the Hong Kong KCC Wine Society years back, vintages from 2000 to 2010 tasted in a roll, with 2012 being one of the dinner wine bottles. That evening, the 2010 vintage showed off the fruitiness through its rock-buster style- the palate was relaxed enough to appreciate 2010's power, good balance, fruit and terroir expression.

Chateau Pontet Canet 2010 has always been viewed favourably by wine critics, bloggers, and merchants. It scores consistently. Take, for example, the total 100 points from Robert Parker and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW. With years of ageing in bottle, Pontet Canet 2010 rounded up.

RRP100. An amazing wine from grapes harvested between the end of September and October 17, this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot has close to 15% natural alcohol. It comes from one of the few biodynamic vineyards in Bordeaux. Still, you are likely to see many more, given the success that Tesseron seems to be having at all levels, both in his vineyards and in his fermentation/winemaking. An excellent, compelling wine with the classic Pauillac nose more often associated with its cross-street neighbour, Mouton-Rothschild, creme de cassis, there are also some violets and other assorted floral notes. The wine has off-the-charts massiveness and intensity but never comes across as heavy, overbearing or astringent. The freshness, laser-like precision, and full-bodied, massive richness and extract are remarkable to behold and experience. It is straightforward to become jaded tasting such great wines from a great vintage, but it is a privilege to taste something as amazing as this. Unfortunately, it needs a good decade of cellaring, assuming it doesn't close down over the next few years. This is a 50- to 75-year wine from one of Bordeaux's half-dozen or so most compulsive and obsessive proprietors. Is there anything that proprietor Alfred Tesseron needs to do differently? Talk about an estate that is on top of its game! Pontet-Canet's 2010 is a more structured, tannic and restrained version of their most recent perfect wine, 2009. Kudos to Pontet-Canet. Edited.

100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW. The 2010 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-black in colour, it sashays out of the glass with opulent scents of Chinese five spice, smoked meats, and cigar box over a core of prunes, redcurrant jelly, and fruitcake with a waft of espresso. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a firm, grainy structure with tons of freshness supporting the rich spice and fruit preserves layers, finishing with great length. It is delicious to drink now! Edited.