Castle Pontet Canet - Pauillac 2001

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe11/4/2009

I must say, the nose is quite delectable with wonderful definition and harmony. There are notes of blackberry, wild hedgerow, a touch of shellfish, a little cedar and smoke coming through with a hint of pencil box. The palate is medium-bodied and showing more finesse than the 2003, perhaps with finer tannins, a more feminine Pontet-Canet. Very focused, still quite primal, very seductive towards the rounded, plum finish with very faint hints of smoked meats. Great harmony and focus. This is certainly beginning to open although it would need serious decanting. Tasted October 2009.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2004

One of the great estates of the Medoc, Pontet-Canet has enjoyed increasing attention as well as a draconian selection process by owner Albert Tesseron ever since his breakthrough vintage of 1994. The 2001 does not possess the power of the 2000 or the huge 2003, but it is still a very fine albeit tannic, lighter wine. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it was produced from modest yields of 37 hectoliters per hectare. Revealing classic cassis aromas, medium to full body, a firm structure with plenty of finesse, a closed personality, and dominant as well as intrusive tannin, it should age well for 12-20 years, but patience will be required. Certainly the concentration appears up to the level of the tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2017.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2004

Enticing blackberry and licorice character, with a tiny bit of tobacco. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a serious finish. Best after 2007.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

Pontet Canet's 2001 shows plenty of tannin but more seductiveness than it did in 2002. Some of the hard, angular components have aged out, and the wine exhibits more flesh along with a dense purple color and a sweet nose of creme de cassis, new saddle leather, and earth. It does not have the size of the 2000, but it is developing more and more elegance, purity, and weight as it ages. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/2003

Bien qu'il soit toujours très tannique, le 2001 de Pontet-Canet semble révéler peu à peu davantage son charme. Certains traits durs et anguleux se sont estompés, et l'ensemble se montre maintenant plus charnu. Sa robe d'un pourpre dense accompagne un doux nez de crème de cassis, de cuir et de terre. Ce vin développe, au fur et à mesure de son évolution, davantage d'élégance, de pureté et d'étoffe. A boire entre 2007 et 2018.

Wine Advocate

88-89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2002

Pontet Canet's 2001 is less evolved than usual at this point in its evolution (many estates had slow malolactics in 2001). The wine reveals hard, angular characteristics along with sweet cassis fruit, medium body, and excellent purity. At present, it is austere and lacking the fat and texture obvious in Pontet Canet's superb 2000. It should flesh out with additional barrel aging, but I do not expect it to achieve the heights of the 2000, 1996, 1995, or 1994. Time will tell. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020.