A Bordeaux Worth the Hype

Château Pontet-Canet 2009

Bordeaux Blend

I’d never had a 100-point wine before, so I was curious—could I actually taste the difference or the quality? Was it really that good? Only one way to find out.

Château Pontet-Canet sits in the heart of Pauillac, right next to some of Bordeaux’s most famous names. Once an underrated Fifth Growth, it has skyrocketed in reputation thanks to the vision of owner Alfred Tesseron, who transformed the estate with organic and biodynamic practices long before they became trendy.

Chateau Pontet-Canet

According to reviews, the 2009 vintage is one of Pontet-Canet’s greatest ever, earning a perfect 100 from Robert Parker, which is what peaked my interest. It received high praise across the board, critics rave about its richness, depth, and age-worthiness, calling it a wine that rivals the First Growths.

From the first pour, the deep, almost inky colour hinted at something special. The aroma was super intense—lots of black fruits mixed with some earthy vibes. Then came the first sip. It was all about those rich, fresh black fruits, plus hints of dark chocolate and coffee but the real star here is the balance—it’s rich and powerful but still feels smooth and refined, with a finish that just keeps going.

Now I get it. This isn’t just hype—Château Pontet-Canet 2009 truly delivers. I’m not sure I could confidently pick out a 100-point wine in a blind tasting, that's for sure! However, I really enjoyed this one. It’s powerful and intense, yet still bursting with fresh fruit despite its age. And that balance—there’s a finesse and elegance that makes it feel effortlessly refined. It’s drinking beautifully now, but with the structure to keep evolving for years. No regrets opening this one, but I wouldn’t mind another bottle tucked away for the future.

Anticipated maturity: 2025-2075

Critics Scores:

Robert Parker - 100/100

Decanter - 18.5/20

Jancis Robinson MW - 18/20

Wine Spectator - 95-98/100

Wine specification:

- Grape variety: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot

- Appellation: Pauillac

- Vintage 2009

- Alcohol: 14 %