Chateau Pontet Canet 2012 updated.

The team formed an optimistic view of Pontet Canet 2012 from an impressive vertical tasting on Chateau Pontet Canet conducted by Alfred Tesseron at the Hong Kong KCC Wine Society years back, vintages from 2000 to 2009 tasted in a roll, with 2012 being one of the dinner wine bottles. That evening, the 2012 vintage stood out in showing off the fruitiness through its fresher style- the palate was relaxed enough to appreciate 2012's good balance and expressiveness.

Chateau Pontet Canet 2012 has always been viewed favourably by wine critics, bloggers, and merchants. It scores consistently. Take, for example, WA96 and Jeff Leve 96. With years of ageing in bottle, Pontet Canet 2012 rounded up.

Awarding it 94-96, Neal Martin at Wine Advocate writes. 'What is a primeur report without one of Pauillac's most dynamic estates? I made the trip through the rain to taste their 2012. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 30% Merlot, the latter was cropped from 4th October and the Cabernet Sauvignon from 11th October, finishing six days later. 50% of the crop, once aged in new oak and one-year-old barrels, are now matured in concrete vats, whilst 35% of the crop is aged in clay amphora quarried from their vineyard. There is certainly great purity and terroir expression on the nose: blackberry, briary and background scents of fresh raspberry and cold stone. The definition is very impressive. The palate is interesting - quite different from the previous vintages. I love the tannins here - very fine but lending the Pontet-Canet great backbone. It is utterly harmonious, but I feel more understated, perhaps more controlled than recent vintages. The finish is much more reflective - a Pauillac politely informing you to go away and wait before bottling before making any judgement! This is a divine Pontet Canet - very succinct. Tasted April 2013.' Edited.

96 VertdeVin. The nose is fruity, gourmand and finely powerful. It reveals notes of crushed cherry, blackberry jam and fine notes of crushed strawberry combined with touches of licorice, slight hints of oak, cocoa (discreet) as well as (very) discreet hints of caramelized oak, a hint of mushroom and a very discreet hint of blueberry (in the background). The mouth is fruity, beautifully fresh and offers minerality, a nice acid frame as well as a good matter. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of sour cherry, cassis and slight notes of crushed strawberry combined with hints of wood, a discreet hint of mushroom as well as a hint of licorice and a few slight woody notes. Good length and persistence. There are hints of iodized mineral on the finish / persistence. Edited.

95 Larson. Very floral dark fruity and ripe nose, very multilayered palate, excellent fruit purity and breadth,Ôø?finely integrated tannin, crunchy dark fruit and a very long, juicy finish, superb material. Edited.