The 2003 Pontet-Canet Bordeaux Blend from the Pauillac region in Bordeaux, France, is a distinguished red wine known for its rich complexity and longevity. Produced by Pontet-Canet, it is a full-bodied wine with an alcohol content of 13.0%, sealed with a cork closure.
This vintage has garnered high praise from several renowned wine critics. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated it 95 points, highlighting its "dense purple color" and "superb nose of graphite, creme de cassis, forest floor, licorice and a hint of truffles." Parker describes it as a "superstar of the vintage" with most tannins resolved, indicating its excellent aging potential.
James Suckling of jamessuckling.com awarded it 93 points, appreciating its "pure ripe fruit on the nose with raspberries and blueberries" and its "round and silky tannins." He suggests pulling the cork after 2014 for optimal enjoyment.
Vinous' Neal Martin also gave it a commendable score of 94, noting the "precocious bouquet with blueberry, cassis, crushed violet and pastille-like fruit." Martin finds the wine well-balanced, with "finely-knit tannins" and a "sorbet-like freshness" on the palate, recommending it as a superior Pauillac from the 2003 vintage.
Wine Spectator and Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com both awarded this wine 94 points, with Wine Spectator describing it as "very Pauillac" with dark plum, fig, and blackberry fruit notes, while Leve likens its aroma to a "good cigar dipped in dark chocolate," emphasizing its full-bodied and ripe character.
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss offered a slightly more reserved score of 91, describing it as a "closed, austere wine" with firm tannins and a "pronounced smoky character."
Overall, the 2003 Pontet-Canet is a well-regarded Bordeaux blend, noted for its depth, balance, and ability to age gracefully over the years.