Updated: Nov 15, 2022
Deep purple with a tight rim, this bottle exudes the aroma of black cherries, blackberries, cherries, graphite, liquorice and vanilla. The Pauillac tannins are tamed and become delicate. The bottle is simple, supple and round with fruit and excellent precision and freshness. There are fewer tertiary tones than we expected, and the ripeness and elegance of 2009 may have made this second wine even more approachable, given the age-worthy character of Pontet Canet. Its First Wine gets a full RP 100 and points to this second wine's worthiness. Score is CT91.
Using younger vines from Pontet-Canet's 78 hectares of vineyards adjoining those of Mouton Rothschild, this 2009 is made from Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (32%) and Cabernet Franc (5%).
Berry Brothers wrote, 'Château Pontet-Canet is a large Pauillac estate that can trace its origins back to 1725 when Jean-François Pontet gave his name to the estate he had acquired. However, the wine was not château-bottled until 1972. In 1975 the property was sold to Guy Tesseron, of the Tesseron family, one of the finest exponents of luxury, very old, aged Cognacs (Cognac Tesseron).
The Tesserons also own Château Lafon-Rochet in St-Estephe. Today, Château Pontet-Canet is owned and run by Alfred and Michel Tesseron.
The Tesserons have vastly improved the quality of the Pontet-Canet wines, which are now full-bodied and packed with ripe, chewy, black fruits and finely integrated tannins. In addition, the wines possess marvellous ageing potential.
Deep ruby; tight rim- can lay for some years from now. Pretty rose tones—a good fruit profile with a fresh raspberry, strawberry, mint and tobacco scented bouquet. The nose reflects the palate with excellent weight, concentration and density for the class. Dry tannins are well balanced and ageing well. Some complexities from the mix of varietals from 46% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carmenere, and 1% P Petit Verdot. High-quality, fruity vintage for Potensac. Classic Bordeaux four-square style; 13.5% ABV. Good scores: 91WE, DD92, 90 Falstaff. A charming medium-bodied bottle which drinks on and on.
Voss from Wine Enthusiast writes, 'One of the showpieces of the Médoc, this structured and firm wine has strong Cabernet flavours that give dry tannins and juicy black currant fruits. Still youthful, this balanced wine is likely to age well. Drink from 2018.'
Dark-hued with garnet tints. Intense nose of ripe red and black fruits(Cassis, plum) with fine oak. Clean, fruit-forward attack on the palate supported by silky tannins in the style of most 2007. Balanced primary, secondary, and tertiary tone despite 15 years of ageing. The mid-palate is slightly too oak(vanillin, tobacco) with undergrowth tones at 13% ABV. From Arsac and Cantenac and recalling the character: simple but still with a certain richness. One may need to spend a little time to allow the wine to open up. Scores: GG91, DD92.
Château Desmirail is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends(mostly 70% or above). The Third Growth in Margaux, this property named by Jean Desmirail has been established towards the end of the 17th century. Several years before the 1855 classification, Desmirail was in the hands of Théophile Sipière, then the manager at Château Margaux. He elevated Desmirail to its third growth status, while Margaux was named the first growth. The modern Desmirail property was bought later by Denis Lurton of the Lurton family, who own several wine estates, including Château Climens, among others. The 30-hectare (74-acre) Desmirail vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a small amount of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Grapes are destemmed and fermented according to their parcels and the age of the vines. After blending, the wine is aged in French oak barriques, of which at least 30 per cent is new. In addition, Desmirail makes a second wine called Initial de Desmirail. Depending on the market in which it is sold, it can be labelled as Château Fontarney or Origine de Desmirail.
