Chateau Pontet Canet (Winemaking, Best Wines, Prices 2024)

Chateau Pontet Canet produces some of the finest Fifth Growth wines in the Bordeaux region. Some of the best vintages (like the 2009) have received perfect-100 scores from esteemed wine critics like Robert Parker. 

The Chateau is now held to be on par with some of the superior First Growths in the Pauillac appellation.

But what makes these wines so exceptional?

In this article, we’ll delve into the Chateau’s origins and winemaking techniques, and discover which are the best Chateau Pontet Canet wines to buy in 2024.

Plus, we’ll show you a hassle-free way to invest in this remarkable wine.

A Quick Intro to Chateau Pontet Canet

Chateau Pontet Canet is situated in the Pauillac appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux in Medoc. The estate has been producing exotic red wines for over three centuries. 

The namesake Fifth Growth Grand Cru Classe wine is made using the grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as small quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 

In 1982 Chateau Pontet Canet started producing a second wine, Les Hauts de Pontet Canet, using the same grape varieties. 

Let’s dive into the backstory of Chateau Pontet Canet.

The Origins of Chateau Pontet Canet

Unlike many great estates in the Medoc region, Chateau Pontet Canet has had only three owners during its three-century history.

In 1705, Jean Francois de Pontet, the Royal Governor of the Medoc region, founded the Chateau. He purchased lands in the Pauillac commune and turned these into vineyards. Later on, he procured more vine parcels in Canet. 

In 1855, Chateau Pontet Canet was ranked as Fifth Growth by the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification.

Next, the Chateau was sold to a wine merchant, Herman Cruse, in 1865. The estate stayed with his family for about 110 years. 

In 1975, Guy Tesseron, a Cognac merchant and owner of Lafon Rochet in St-Estephe, bought the estate. Today, the Tesseron family runs the show with the proprietor Alfred Tesseron and his nieces, Melanie and Philippine, at the helm.

Under the guidance of Alfred and winemaker Jean Michel Comme, the estate transitioned fully to biodynamic farming methods. (It is only one of the two Bordeaux wineries to have done so.)

In 1999, the Chateau hired the legendary winemaker Michel Rolland as a consultant. The Chateau converted entirely to biodynamic viticulture in 2005.

In addition, in 2016, the Chateau’s proprietor Alfred Tesseron bought the late Robin Williams’ vineyard estate in Napa Valley and renamed it Pym Rae.

Viticulture at Chateau Pontet Canet

The Pontet Canet estate (located south of Chateau Mouton Rothschild) spans over 120 hectares, of which 81 hectares are vineyard holdings.  

The terroir comprises Garonne gravel layers over a subsoil of limestone. 

Let’s have a quick look at the different grape varietals grown in Pontet Canet:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: 62% of the vineyard is planted withthe Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety.   
• Merlot: This grape is planted on gravel-clay soil that surrounds the Plateau. Merlot comprises 32% of all vine plantings.
• Cabernet Franc: This grape variety is planted in the center of the vineyard and comprises4% of all vines. 
• Petit Verdot: 2% of the vineyard is planted with Petit Verdot. This grape variety is planted on three parcels on the edge of the estate.

Chateau Pontet Canet follows the following biodynamic viticulture practices:

• Instead of tractors, the winery uses horses to turn over the earth and ensure there is no soil compaction in some plots. 
• Pontet Canet uses organic fertilizers, including the compost generated by the estate’s other resident animals (cows and donkeys.)
• Unlike other estates that use traditional green harvesting and leaf thinning practices, Chateau Pontet Canet grooms the vines by pruning them during the winter. 

The winemaking process at the Chateau is just as interesting as its viticulture. 

Chateau Pontet Canet Vinification

The winery firmly believes in traditional winemaking techniques. Here’s what the process looks like:

• Harvesting: Chateau Pontet Canet uses homogenous terroir harvesting where the vine parcels are divided into two to three subsections. The grapes are sorted twice and destemmed manually, ensuring only the best berries are included in the wine.
• Fermentation: The estate uses a mix of wooden and concrete gravity-driven vats that are one floor below the sorting tables. As part of the winery’s biodynamic practices, the winemakers add natural yeast to the grape must. The whole fermentation process takes about 2-3 weeks. 
• Aging: Grapes from each vine parcel are vinified separately, and aged in either 900-liter amphora jars, new oak barrels, or old barrels for up to 20 months. The jars are made specifically for Pontet Canet and help to enhance the wine’s minerality and reduce its oxidation. 

The Chateau uses 25 amphora jars (made from limestone and cement) for Merlot and 25 more jars (made from gravel and cement) for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chateau Pontet Canet produces about 20,000 cases of its Grand Vin annually. 

Now let’s explore some of the best Chateau Pontet Canet wines you should look out for in 2024.

Chateau Pontet Canet’s Best Vintages to Buy in 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are our top picks:

1. 1949 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France

Here’s a red wine with aromas of dark berries, red fruit, and mint, along with a fragrant waft of licorice, anise, and truffles. On the palate are blackcurrants, plum preserves, and walnuts accompanied by clove and assorted floral notes. The wine has incredible complexity and a fine finish.

Price of 1949 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France: $1,691

2. 1945 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France 

This great wine is deliciously concentrated with bright acidity and delightful freshness. Complex with a dusty tannin mouthfeel, the wine also has scents of licorice, cassis, earthy forest floor, and assorted floral notes.

Price of 1945 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France: $986

3. 1929 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France

On the nose, this wine has copious aromas of strawberry candy and creme de cassis, along with plum preserves and red fruit notes. Herbal tones and red berry fruit round off the palate. It has great balance and a fine tannin texture.

Price of 1929 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France: $688

4. 1961 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France

This classic Bordeaux wine has a fragrant waft of cassis, dark chocolate, and black cherry. Notes of cedar, forest floor, and cigar box complete the aroma profile of this wine. The palate includes tasting notes of intense fruit, an elegant tannin texture, and a long finish.

Price of 1961 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France: $423

5. 2010 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France

The second wine of the Chateau has copious aromas of cigar box, concentrated dark berries, and black fruit, along with forest floor elements. On the palate, there are hints of fine tannin levels with a medium finish.

Price of 2010 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France: $67

6. 2006 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France

With opulent scents of red fruit, cedar, tobacco, cassis, and pencil lead, this great wine has firm tannins, lovely freshness, and a smooth finish.

Price of 2006 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France: $67

7. 2005 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France 

Here we have a burgundy colored wine with red fruit, earthy forest floor notes, cassis, and black cherry tart flavors. This great wine has a smooth finish and is best enjoyed with a roast leg of lamb or a delicious chicken pot pie.

Price of 2005 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France: $62

8. 2000 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France

This rust-hued wine has opulent scents of dried dark berries, cedar, vanilla, creme de cassis, and caramel notes. Flavors of old leather, dried black fruit, and forest floor notes round off the tasting profile.

Price of 2000 Chateau Pontet-Canet 'Les Hauts de Pontet Canet', Pauillac, France: $62

Why Chateau Pontet Canet Is a Good Investment Wine

Chateau Pontet Canet has good investment potential and it comes at a fraction of the price of the expensive First Growths. 

With a longevity of up to 45 years, the Chateau Pontet Canet Grand Vin is often compared to a First Growth. 

The Grand Vin wines continue to increase in value over time. For example: 

• The 2009 vintage of Chateau Pontet Canet has a perfect 100 score from Robert Parker and increased by 12.5% from $272 in 2019 to $306 in 2021.
• The 2017 vintage grew by 20% from $115 in 2019 to $139 in 2021.
• In 2019, the Chateau Pontet Canet 2018 vintage jumped from $116 to $141 - a 21% increase.

Chateau Pontet Canet wines also do well at auctions. For example, in 2020:

• At a Christie’s auction, a 12-bottle case of the 2000 Chateau Pontet Canet wine sold for $1,624.
• At a Zachy’s auction, a 12-bottle case of the 1995 Chateau Pontet Canet was auctioned for $1,116. 
• At the same Zachy’s auction, one 6L Methuselah of the Chateau Pontet Canet 2003 vintage sold for $868.

If you’re keen to add a bottle or two of Chateau Pontet Canet to your portfolio, these vintages are the best: 2010, 2009, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2005, 2017, 2008, 2003. 

These older vintages are also incredible: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1929, 1945, 1961, and 1999.

So how do you go about adding such a remarkable wine to your collection? 

Fortunately, with an AI-based platform like Vinovest, you can invest in fine wines easily!

Buy Chateau Pontet Canet and Other Fine Wines Through Vinovest

Vinovest is a wine investment company that allows you to buy, sell, store, and deliver wines with just a few clicks. 

How does it work?

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3. Fund your account with a minimum of $1,000.
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What are the benefits?

Vinovest has some fantastic benefits. Here are some of them:

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Chateau Pontet Canet: A Pure and Sensual Wine

Chateau Pontet Canet wines are in a league of their own. With its unique biodynamic viticulture and cellaring practices, it is no surprise that these wines are among the most sought after in the Bordeaux wine region.

Sign up with Vinovest and add one of these elegant wines to your portfolio!