Description
Château Pontet Canet, Pauillac 5th Growth
Pontet Canet is one of the most in demand 5th Growth producers in Pauillac. While this estate needs no introduction to savvy collectors, it is always good to revisit. Pontet Canet was purchased by Guy Terreson of Chateau Lafon Rochet in 1975, and has been long beloved by Bordeaux enthusiasts, especially in the past few decades. Pontet Canet is famous for being neighbors with Mouton Rothschild. Since 2010 they have converted all farming to biodynamics and were the first major Bordeaux wine producer to get certified in biodynamics via Agence Bio (AB) organic certification. In total Pontet Canet is 81 hectares planted to roughly 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest being Merlot with a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
The soils here are mostly gravel over clay and limestone. Vines average 35 years of age. Harvesting is done by hand, and after sorting the grapes are moved into the estate’s gravity-fed cellars for crushing. Fermentation takes place in a mixture of concrete and stainless-steel vats. Wines are aged for 16-20 months in up to 60% new oak barrels.
While the 2006 vintage might live in the shadows of the legendary 2005 vintage, the top estates of Bordeaux created wines of outstanding quality. The 2006 growing season saw a cold winter, dry summer and some rain during harvest. 2006 was varied for certain producers due to the rain but the 2006 Pontet Canet is considered one of the best wines of the vintage for the price amongst the critics and us!
