Chateau Pontet-Canet is a Fifth Growth Bordeaux wine estate owned by the Tesseron family (of Cognac fame) since 1975. The estate is a rarity in the Medoc, having known only three owners over a course of three centuries.

The vineyard spans 81 hectares in Pauillac, atop an outcropping of Garonne gravel over limestone. After a first trial in 2004, which took place on 14 hectares, Pontet-Canet fully converted the estate to biodynamic agriculture. They obtained organic certification from Ecocert, biodynamic certification from Biodyvin in 2010, and from Demeter in 2014.

Alfred Tesseron uses horses to plow the vineyards of Pontet Canet since they are gentler and lighter than tractors. Because the horses never step in the same place twice, the soils are always aerated in different parts, bringing much needed oxygen to the soil.

The vines have an average age of 40 to 45 years. Their varietal plantings are Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and three parcels of Petit Verdot (2%).

Chateau Pontet-Canet is bright and brilliant with full-bodied fruit, yet finesse, in the mouth. It expresses energy, tension and intensity.

The fruit is fermented with native yeast in semi-conical concrete tanks that facilitate punch-downs. The wine then macerates for an additional four weeks before being removed from the pomace for maturation. One-third of the wine is aged in large, concrete amphorae, designed expressly for Pontet-Canet. The rest ages in French oak barrels.

The 2022 Pontet-Canet Bordeaux Blend from Pauillac, France, is a red wine that has garnered significant attention and high praise from various esteemed reviewers. The wine is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, with an alcohol content of 14.5%. It has been aged in a combination of 50% new French oak, 35% amphoras, and 15% once-used barrels.

Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com describes the wine as "deep purple with a blue hue, almost opaque in color." He notes the aromatic complexity, pointing out the "cassis, flowers, plums, licorice, and tobacco leaf aromas." Leve emphasizes the purity and concentration of the fruit, describing the palate as "lush and refined," with a finish that combines "concentration with elegance, power with purity, lift, and length." He scores it between 96-98 points, suggesting that the score might go higher once the wine is in the bottle.

Jeb Dunnuck from jebdunnuck.com offers an even more enthusiastic review, scoring it 97-99+ points. He praises its "incredibly pure bouquet of cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and scorched earth," and describes it as a "full-bodied Pauillac with a deep, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish." Dunnuck believes the wine will have "an incredibly long life," and can start being enjoyed in 4-6 years.

Jane Anson from janeanson.com gives the wine a score of 94 points, highlighting its "vivid plum color with violet reflections" and "chewy tannins." She notes the presence of "cassis, blueberry, and fresh fig fruits," along with herbal and earthy notes like "rosemary, sage, dried herbs, chamomile, and fresh mushroom."

Vinous reviewer Antonio Galloni scores it between 95-97 points, describing the wine as "surprising" and "restrained," with "linear intensity rather than size" and "notable freshness and a feeling of tension and precision."

James Suckling from jamessuckling.com provides the most glowing review, awarding it a perfect score of 99-100 points. He describes it as "full-bodied yet so tight and focused with superb fruit and transparency," noting flavors of "cassis, tobacco, and cigar box," with "licorice and spices."

The Wine Independent and Wine Enthusiast also give high marks, with scores of 97-99 and 97-99 points, respectively. Both reviews highlight the wine's complexity, balance, and aging potential.

In summary, the 2022 Pontet-Canet is a highly acclaimed Bordeaux blend, noted for its purity, complexity, and the promise of long aging potential. It is a standout wine from the Médoc region, garnering consistent high praise across the board.