1998 Pontet-Canet Pauillac

Roughly 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Grapes are harvested by hand and hand-sorted; fermentation often uses a mixture of vats (concrete, wood) and the estate emphasizes gentle extraction. After fermentation, ageing typically lasts 16–18 (up to 20) months, often in French oak barrels (a portion new oak) and — in more recent years — sometimes in amphorae or concrete amphora-like “dolia” to better express terroir. Since the early 2000s, Pontet-Canet has adopted organic / biodynamic viticulture, becoming one of the first of the Médoc’s classified growths to do so, with much emphasis on soil health and low-intervention winemaking.

Pontet-Canet delivers classic Pauillac depth: expect a rich core of blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, layered with cedar, graphite, tobacco leaf, and subtle mineral-driven graphite/earth notes, often underpinned by violet or floral accents. On the palate it shows full-bodied intensity with structured yet velvety tannins, a polished texture, and a long, layered finish — combining power, elegance and terroir purity. In top vintages, the wine balances firmness and freshness, giving both immediate appeal and long-term aging potential.

Founded originally in the early 18th century by Jean‑François de Pontet, the estate expanded over the decades and was recorded as one of the 1855 Classification’s Fifth Growths. In 1975 it was acquired by the Tesseron family, who over the ensuing decades transformed the vineyards — deeply investing in quality, converting to biodynamic viticulture, and restoring gravitas to the wines; today Château Pontet-Canet stands among the most respected and sought-after Médoc premiers crus — often regarded as a “super-second” and a benchmark for modern Pauillac.