2002 Pontet-Canet Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
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REVIEWS

WS 92 NM 91 JL 90 VN 90 WA 88
WS 92

Wine Spectator, March 2005

A solid wine with berry currant and mineral character. Full-bodied with silky tannins and a long finish. Racy. Alfred Tesseron is making excellent wine nearly every year now. One of the few 2002s better than 2001. Best...
NM 91

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, January 2011

Tasted at Bordeaux Index’s Pontet-Canet dinner at The Ledbury. Compared to more recent vintages, the 2002 certainly has a lighter, perhaps more straightforward nose with blackberry, bay leaf and just a hint of liquorice...
JL 90

TheWineCellarInsider.com, June 2010

Cassis, earth, blackberry, pepper, blue fruit, hints of floral, tobacco and pepper notes make up the perfume. This full bodied wine shows some rustic sensations in mouth as the tannins are not fully ripe. The wine...
VN 90

Vinous, September 2022

The 2002 Pontet Canet precedes the conversion to organic viticulture, though Alfred Tesseron had already eschewed the use of pesticides and herbicides. It has a slightly rustic nose, a touch of menthol and soot infusing...
WA 88

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 2005

This wine has seemingly gone to sleep and is in a dormant ungracious stage exhibiting notes of green tea leaves intermixed with red and black currants in its dusty nose. A medium-bodied wine with moderately high tannin...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Pauillac
Vintage 2002
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 13%
Closure Cork

Chateau Pontet-Canet is a Fifth Growth Bordeaux wine estate owned by the Tesseron family (of Cognac fame) since 1975. The estate is a rarity in the Medoc, having known only three owners over a course of three centuries.

The vineyard spans 81 hectares in Pauillac, atop an outcropping of Garonne gravel over limestone. After a first trial in 2004, which took place on 14 hectares, Pontet-Canet fully converted the estate to biodynamic agriculture. They obtained organic certification from Ecocert, biodynamic certification from Biodyvin in 2010, and from Demeter in 2014.

Alfred Tesseron uses horses to plow the vineyards of Pontet Canet since they are gentler and lighter than tractors. Because the horses never step in the same place twice, the soils are always aerated in different parts, bringing much needed oxygen to the soil.

The vines have an average age of 40 to 45 years. Their varietal plantings are Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and three parcels of Petit Verdot (2%).

Chateau Pontet-Canet is bright and brilliant with full-bodied fruit, yet finesse, in the mouth. It expresses energy, tension and intensity.

The fruit is fermented with native yeast in semi-conical concrete tanks that facilitate punch-downs. The wine then macerates for an additional four weeks before being removed from the pomace for maturation. One-third of the wine is aged in large, concrete amphorae, designed expressly for Pontet-Canet. The rest ages in French oak barrels.

The 2002 Pontet-Canet is a Bordeaux Blend that hails from the prestigious Pauillac region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine exudes elegance and sophistication, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship of the renowned producer, Pontet-Canet.

In the glass, this wine displays a deep, garnet-red color that hints at its depth and complexity. The nose is a captivating blend of cassis, earth, blackberry, pepper, and blue fruit, intermingled with subtle floral and tobacco notes. These aromas create a symphony of scents that entice and intrigue the senses.

On the palate, the 2002 Pontet-Canet reveals a full-bodied character that is both rich and rustic. The tannins are not fully ripe, lending a slightly rough texture that adds to the wine's charm and authenticity. The mouthfeel is generous and velvety, with a concentrated burst of cassis that lingers on the finish.

This vintage has received high praise from wine critics. Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded it a score of 90, describing it as a full-bodied wine with a big mouthful of cassis. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it an 88, noting its medium-bodied profile, high tannins, and hidden fruit. Wine Spectator awarded it a score of 92, commending its solid structure, silky tannins, and racy character. Neal Martin's Wine Journal gave it a score of 91, highlighting its blackberry and bay leaf aromas and medium-bodied palate. Lastly, Vinous awarded it a score of 90, praising its boldness, sweetness, and resemblance to its esteemed neighbor, Mouton-Rothschild.

The 2002 Pontet-Canet is a wine that showcases the potential of Bordeaux wines, particularly those from the Pauillac region. Its age has allowed it to mature gracefully, offering a delightful drinking experience. Whether enjoyed now or in the years to come, this wine is a testament to the artistry and excellence of Pontet-Canet.