Producer Profile
Château Pontet-Canet is a Cinquièmes Crus (Fifth
Growth) estate in the north of Pauillac overlooking the Gironde estuary,
directly opposite Château Mouton Rothschild (First Growth). It was one
of the first of the Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés
estates to embrace organic and biodynamic production, resulting in
their double certification – a first for the Médoc Grand Cru Classés.
Three families have run this estate in 300 years, and this stability has
aided Château Pontet-Canet’s steady rise. The name comes from the
original owner, aristocrat Jean-François de Pontet, and Canet, which at
the time was the name of the area on which the
estate stood. Subsequent owner Herman Cruse brought the necessary
modernisation and its revolutionary cellars in the late 1800s, using
architect Charles Skawinski’s designs.
In 1975 Guy Tesseron, wine grower and luxury Cognac merchant (Cognac
Tesseron), bought the estate and under his guidance further improved the
quality of the estate’s wines. The family continues to run Château
Pontet-Canet today under Justine Tesseron.
Its 80 hectares of vine average 50 years in age and are planted on a gravelly topsoil with clay and limestone subsoil.
Château Pontet-Canet produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.
OUR VERDICT:
There is little doubt that the Tesseron family has pushed this notable Pauillac estate into the realms of 2nd Growth territory, leapfrogging many a 4th and 3rd
in both price and status. The quality is there
to back it up and the biodynamic principles of its winemaking team have
led to greater finesse in the wines as the husbandry of the land has
gone hand in hand with an innovative approach in the winery.
