The 2021 Pontet-Canet, a Bordeaux Blend from Pauillac, France, offers a distinctive and engaging experience for wine enthusiasts. This vintage, praised by numerous reviewers, exemplifies the unique character and potential of the region.
James Suckling rates it at 95 points, describing it as a "very pretty 2021" with a "solid, beautiful mid-palate and density," emphasizing its juicy fruit and savory finish. Similarly, Jane Anson also awards it 95 points, noting the wine's "bright berry red" color and "nuanced blackberry and loganberry with bitter black chocolate notes." Anson highlights the precision and spice, underscoring its Pauillac typicity.
The Wine Enthusiast gives an even higher score of 97 points, calling attention to its "pure berry fruit and cedar aromas" and its "great purity." The wine is described as having a "straight line of freshness" with a beautifully textured and firm core, making it suitable for aging until at least 2028.
Decanter provides another 95-point review, noting the "gorgeous fragrance on the nose" and the "juiciness straight away from a burst of high acidity." The review praises the wine's structure and creaminess, describing it as "structured and supple" with a "Cabernet fruit...in full shine mode."
While Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gives it a score ranging from 91 to 93 points, highlighting its "wild, exotic aromas" and "layered mid-palate," Vinous commends its "elegance" and "satisfying, almost citric freshness," awarding it 93 points.
Technical director Mathieu Bessonet is credited for the skilled winemaking, utilizing 50% new oak, 35% amphora, and a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The wine's organic and biodynamic farming practices contribute to its overall appeal, offering a compelling combination of tradition and innovation. Overall, the 2021 Pontet-Canet is a noteworthy vintage with a promising future.