Château Pontet Canet - Pauillac 1995

Wine Advocate

87 / 100

par Neal Martin le 04/11/2009

This is displaying more secondary aromas on the nose, slightly riper than the 1996, more red fruits than black with raspberry and strawberry with hints of vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied, very smooth and rounded, moderate complexity, a nice citrus edge. But it takes its foot off the accelerator in the middle which compared to more recent vintages is relatively linear and one-dimensional, finished with a rather sullen, tertiary finish, as if the wine has gone off in a sulk for no apparent reason. Not a bad wine by any means, but it will not etch itself on your memory as a classic 1995. Drink now-2015. Tasted May 2009.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/09/1998

The 1995 Pontet-Canet has shed some of its astringency and now appears to be the qualitative equivalent to the terrific, classic 1994. The fruit is sweeter and jammier, and the new oak more prominent in the 1995. This opaque purple-colored wine is medium to full-bodied, concentrated, layered, and long in the finish. I would not be surprised to see the 1995 edge out the brilliant 1994 in 15-20 years. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025. Last tasted 1/97

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1998

An old style Pauillac, yet made with far more purity and richness than the estate's ancient vintages, this broad-shouldered, muscular, classic wine exhibits a saturated purple color, and sensationally dense, rich, concentrated, cassis flavors that roll over the palate with impressive purity and depth. The wine is tannic and closed, but powerful and rich. It appears to possess length and intensity similar to the 1996. This is a great young Pauillac. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025. The extraordinary effort that Alfred Tesseron is making at this property is reconfirmed with each new tasting note I write on Pontet-Canet. Having recently had the exceptionally impressive 1994 in several tastings, it is a pleasure to see this historic estate turning out wines that behave like super seconds rather than fifth-growths.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/01/1998

This is the best Pontet-Canet I have ever tasted. Dark ruby-colored, offering berry, raspberry and dark chocolate character. Full-bodied and very fruity, with big, velvety tannins. A glorious red, this goes on and on on the palate, displaying wonderful structure and fruit. Best after 2002. 23,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

Readers should take note that the Tesseron family is making major efforts to rebuild the image of Pontet-Canet and establish it as one of the finest wines of the northern Medoc. Quality has soared since the 1994 vintage, but prices have not yet caught up with the "new" Pontet-Canet. However, this is not a forward, luscious, rich, sweet, fruity style of Pauillac (such as the charming Pichon-Lalande and Haut-Batailley), but rather, a dense, masculine, massively-styled wine meant for long-term cellaring. The 1995 Pontet-Canet has shed some of its astringency and now appears to be the qualitative equivalent to the terrific, classic 1994. The fruit is sweeter and jammier, and the new oak more prominent in the 1995. This opaque purple-colored wine is medium to full-bodied, concentrated, layered, and long in the finish. I would not be surprised to see the 1995 edge out the brilliant 1994 in 15-20 years. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025.

Wine Advocate

90-91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1996

The 1995 is another large-scaled, dense, concentrated, full-bodied wine. With less Merlot in the blend than the 1994, the wine is more backward and tannic. The purple color, sweet, jammy aromatics, and muscular feel of this powerhouse suggest 8-10 years of cellaring will be required. It is a 25-30-year wine. Stylistically, this is a 1995 with a 1986-ish richness and tannic ferocity. The 1994 and 1995 Pontet-Canets are the two finest back to back efforts this chateau has made.