Château Pontet-Canet 2014

Panos Kakaviatos, Decanter 94/100 (2021) – "Similar to the 2011, the 2014 has added aromatic steeliness, especially compared with the 2012. However, the 2014 displays lovely fruit purity of cassis, red and black berry on the palate, and I like the tension, even if 2012 wins on sumptuousness. Aged 50% new oak , 35% amphora."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate 95/100 (2020) – "Deep garnet with a hint of purple to the color, the 2014 Pontet-Canet gives a very serious, classic Pauillac nose of blackcurrant preserves, baked blackberries and warm black plums with suggestions of menthol, pencil lead, woodsmoke, cassia and cast-iron pan plus a hint of baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with black and blue fruit preserves with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness, giving lift to the long, exotic spice-laced finish. It is approachable now, but really should start to make jaws drop in another 4-5 years."

Chris Kissack, Winedoctor 95/100 (2018) – "This is a wine which stylistically sits apart in the commune, with aromas of cherry liqueur, clay and cement dust, all scented with greener notes of sage and thyme. It seems to have intensity and yet also a subtle greener lift. On the palate it is the creamed fruit intensity that comes through, all crushed damson and black cherry, with a tightly grained substance, but again with that little lift of fresh, leafy fruit and a touch of praline and tobacco leaf. There is a lot of imposing tannic substance through the middle and finish here, the end of the palate simply loaded with tannin. Overall this is long, imposing, bursting with structure, and it will need a long time in the cellar to really come around. It has huge promise though."