The 2016 Pontet-Canet Bordeaux Blend from Pauillac, France, is a red wine that has garnered widespread acclaim from several professional reviewers, with scores consistently in the high 90s. This vintage is noted for its remarkable balance, concentration, and potential for aging, with several experts predicting it could achieve a perfect score in the future.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate describes the wine as "deep garnet-purple in color," with a "hedonic nose" of Black Forest cake and crème de cassis. She praises its "very firm, super ripe, grainy tannins" and concludes that it finishes with "incredible length and depth." James Suckling lauds the wine's "spellbinding" aromas and "impressive fruit," while also highlighting its "mouth-expanding, massive and natural tannins."
Antonio Galloni of Vinous finds the 2016 Pontet-Canet "absolutely breathtaking," describing it as "powerful, ample and racy in the glass." He emphasizes the wine's "total sense of harmony," which he finds most compelling. Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com echoes this sentiment, noting its "vibrancy" and depth of flavor that holds focus for an extended period.
The Wine Enthusiast awarded this wine a perfect score, highlighting its "voluptuous" and "rich and fruity" nature while maintaining balance with its "magnificent structure." Jeb Dunnuck also commends its "thrilling notes" and the transition towards a more "finesse-driven" style without losing concentration.
Produced by Alfred Tesseron, who has implemented biodynamic farming practices and innovative aging techniques, such as the use of terra cotta, the 2016 Pontet-Canet stands out among its peers in Bordeaux. With its blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, this wine is predicted to mature beautifully, with a drinking window extending well into the mid-21st century.
