Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92 / 100 byStephen Tanzerthe8/30/2010 Deep ruby-red. The nose shows an almost exotic ripeness but also a high-pitched quality to the aromas of fruitcake, graphite and spicy oak. Dense and intensely flavored but at the same time quite juicy and penetrating, with terrific lift to its dark fruit flavors. An outperformer for the vintage, this rather powerfully structured wine has a serious spine for aging.
Le Monde 17-17,75 / 100 the6/5/2010 Une belle prise de bois et un vin complet associant le corps et la texture d'un pauillac classique à des tanins d'une extrême finesse, un tout petit cran en dessous de Pichon Baron néanmoins. Le cru continue la ligne impeccable de ses derniers millésimes. 17-17,5/20
Wine Spectator 90 / 100 the3/31/2010 Currant and dark licorice aromas follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a caressing finish. A beauty. Best after 2013.
Wine Advocate 94 / 100 byNeal Martinthe11/4/2009 Bottled in July, it is unfair to compare the 2007 to the 2008, although the difference in ripeness is clear. A slightly more herbaceous, earthier bouquet, sharp blackberry, a touch of soy, an attractive floral element...violets. As it did in barrel, this Pontet-Canet nods towards Margaux. Good definition though. The palate is well balanced, slightly grainy tannins on the entry, very good acidity and backbone. This is confirming the promise that it showed in barrel and the finish is developing a lovely blackcurrant and mulberry finish. Exceptional for the vintage. Drink 2011-2025. Tasted October 2009. 94+
Jancis Robinson 16.50 / 20 byJancis Robinsonthe10/27/2009 Very dark crimson. Attractive lift. Some transparency and liveliness. Very dry finish. But a classic wine. Well done. Drink 2011-17
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90-93 / 100 byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008 Good deep ruby-red. Sappy cherry, blackberry, licorice and minerals on the nose, with an almost candied quality rare for the year. Dense, sappy and pure, with enticing sweetness and noteworthy depth to the silky flavors of cassis, chocolate, licorice and minerals. Finishes with sweet, broad tannins and excellent persistence.
Falstaff 90-92 / 100 the6/30/2008 Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, jugendliche Reflexe, violetter Rand. In der Nase einladende dunkle Beerenfrucht, zart nach Nougat, zart tabakig-balsamische. Am Gaumen saftig und frisch, shokoladige Textur, eher mittlerer Körper, gut ausgewogen, gut integrierte Tannine, hat Schliff, Kirschen im Nachhall, zart nach Bitterschokolade im Rückgeschmack.
Le Point 16,5 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe5/15/2008 Nez fruits rouges, note épicée, minéralité, bouche dense, épicée, beaux tanins moelleux, frais, tendus, long, joli fruit, délicat, tendre.
TAST 17-17.50 / 20 the4/29/2008 Une belle prise de bois et un vin complet associant le corps et la texture d’un pauillac classique à des tannins d’une extrême finesse, un tout petit cran en dessous de Pichon Baron néanmoins. Le cru continue la ligne impeccable de ses derniers millésimes.
Wine Advocate 94-96 / 100 byNeal Martinthe4/18/2008 A deep garnet core with pink rim. Like Cos d’Estournel, there is almost a Burgundian sense of fruit intensity on the nose. At first – reticent - but give it a few swirls of the glass and a little patience there are aromas of ripe blackberries, a touch of mulberry, damson and a hint of fresh fig. One of the few wines to demonstrate some opulence. The palate is full-bodied, very concentrated with intense blackberries, raspberry, Morello and mouth-coating tannins (almost more than any other wine – including the First Growths!) Huge grip and persistency but married with great purity and delineation. This has soft mouthfeel towards the finish, perhaps just lacking the peacock fan of flavours that a great vintage such as 2005 would show, but very long and sensuous with a touch of spice lingering on the exceptionally long aftertaste. A complete wine and a great success for the vintage. Tasted April 2008.
Jancis Robinson 16.50 / 20 byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2008 Quite rich and sweet on the nose. Not very Pauillac-like! Good, firm tannins on the palate. A creditable attempt to spin some interest out of this vintage. But pretty low key. Tannins almost too dominant. Watery finish. But there is no shortage of effort here and the wine should have a longer life than many. Just a bit too like sandpaper in terms of texture.
Wine Spectator 88-91 / 100 the3/31/2008 Crushed blackberry, currant and light licorice. Full-bodied, with lovely ripe tannins and a long, fruity finish. Balanced and refined. A beauty. —J.S.