Chateau Pontet Canet 2010

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2010 Pontet-Canet offers a very deep garnet color. Whoa—the nose explodes with a vast array of black fruit preserves and savory nuances: plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial, black cherry coulis and licorice with wafts of dried lavender, melted chocolate, charcuterie, black olives, truffles and camphor plus a hint of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate is completely filled with black fruits, exotic spices and earthy nuances with a firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. So much more expressive and seductive than a lot of 2010s at this stage, and yet it is still incredibly youthful!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "The aromas to this are incredible with blueberry, minerals, dried flowers, and stones. It goes to dried meat and spices. Full body and incredibly integrated with blackberry, licorice, and minerals. There's a wonderful purity to this. It goes on for minutes. The quality of tannins is amazing. Seamless. There's an amazing transparency that shows you all the elements of the wine's unique terrior."

WEINWISSER: "War der zweite Jahrhundert- Jahrgang in Folge und dahingehend bedeutsam, als dass man nach dreijähriger Pause wieder die Zulassung als biologisch klassifiziertes Weingut erhielt. Es werden mittlerweile 24 von 81 Hektar allein mit Pferden bewirtschaftet und die Qualität der Böden verbessert sich zusehends. In der Nase ernsthafter, würziger mit mehr Lakritze und geringerem Frucht-Exzess als 2009. Polierte Gerbstoffe, markante Art und eine Schippe mehr Pauillac- Würze lassen das Rad zum Kreise werden,"

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2010 Pontet-Canet lags behind the 2009, but these two vintages can be hard to compare due the drastically different styles. Where the 2009 is broad, expansive, and showy, the 2010 starts our more reserved and classic in style, with beautiful notes of cassis, cedarwood, lead pencil shavings, tobacco, and damp earth all developing with air. Deep, beautifully concentrated, full-bodied, and powerful, it’s built for the long haul and needs 5-7 years of bottle age, but I suspect will see its 50th birthday in still fine drinking form."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "So young, but there is so much potential for greatness, you'd have to be blind to miss it! Layer after layer of rich, deep, ripe, plush, round, polished fruits, perfectly ripe tannins and a finish that does not want to quit. The wine is holding back more in reserve than with previous tastings and is probably going to shut down for a bit. When it opens again, this will be a stunner!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Dense, yes, but this is also a handsome wine that balances complex tannins with pure black currant fruits that shine. This biodynamic wine has a generous, full and rich feel, ripe with just a touch of restraint. The greatness of the wine shows in its purity with a deceptive simplicity that hides the final complex tannins and structure."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung, einladende dunkle Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von schwarzen Oliven, feine Kräuterwürze, Orangenzesten, feiner Schokoladentouch. Engmaschig, reife Herzkirschen, präsente, sehr gut integrierte Tannine, extraktsüß und anhaltend, straffe Textur, zeigt eine sehr gute Länge, mineralisch-salzig und mit süßem Nachhall ausgestattet. Großer Wein."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is big, broad and powerfully rendered, but remarkably polished and refined at the same time. An enormous core of roasted fig, blackberry and black currant fruit is suavely wrapped with roasted apple wood and sandalwood, while dark espresso, loam and warm paving stone notes drive the finish. Very long, with a great tug of scorched earth at the end. A terrific combination of power and precision. Best from 2020 through 2040. 25,000 cases made."

DECANTER: "Vibrant nose, blackcurrants and blackberries and mint, with great purity of fruit. Very rich and weighty, with formidable tannins and a graphite tone. Powerful and pungent with a trace of alcohol on the finish, but enough power and density to balance it. Monumental and very long."