Leading with the strong curranty themes of Cabernet grown in the Haut Medoc, this very solid youngster is still on the tight side in the mouth. Its deep, but comparatively compact flavors of cassis, vanilla and gravelly soil are framed by acidity, and a rush of youthful tannins makes for a bit of closing austerity just now. There is, however, a clear sense of extract and depth at work here, and a little patience is required for this one to bloom.

Red-ruby. Cool aromas of blackcurrant, espresso and menthol. Then sweet and pliant in the mouth, with concentrated, very pure currant, chocolate and mint flavors. Wonderfully smooth for the vintage. Broadens out impressively on the back end, finishing with firm, ripe tannins. St. Julien

Community Tasting Notes (average 89.9 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 50 notes)

92 points Wine Spectator A solid wine with berry, currant and mineral character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Racy. Alfred Tesseron is making excellent wine nearly every year now. One of the few 2002s better than 2001. (3/ 2005) 91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Red-ruby. Cool aromas of blackcurrant, espresso and menthol. Then sweet and pliant in the mouth, with concentrated, very pure currant, chocolate and mint flavors. Wonderfully smooth for the vintage. Broadens out impressively on the back end, finishing with firm, ripe tannins. (6/ 2005) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate As most well-informed insiders in Bordeaux know, proprietor Alfred Tesseron has been doing everything right since 1994 in order to fully develop the enormous potential of this vineyard adjacent to Mouton-Rothschild. Some serious work is done in the vineyard including de-budding, de-leafing, and crop-thinning. The harvest usually takes place in several attempts trying to maximize ripeness and there are two separate sorting tables. Yields have dropped dramatically, and of course there is a severe selection. (4/ 2005)

This property, located adjacent to Mouton in Paulliac, has been in top form in recent years and now routinely produces wines of near-first growth class, with rich, concentrated cassis fruit and lush texture. Prices for this Fifth Growth estate have yet to catch up with quality. Vineyards date to the early eighteenth century, and the soil is extremely gravelly and drains well, characteristic of the best growing sites in Bordeaux. Pontet-Canet has one of the largest productions of any classified growth in the Medoc with a production of nearly 20,000 cases of its grand vin. Another 20,000 cases come from the estate's second wine: Les Hauts de Pontet.

2010 - 2020