Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2019

100 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on rim. For the first time since 2011, the proportion of Merlot is somewhat higher, the bouquet accordingly more characterised by heart cherries than by the usual cassis de Pauillac, delicate nougat and caramel, fine herbal spice. Powerful, tightly meshed, shows good expression, chocolatey touch, ripe tannins, great complexity, great length and spiciness, a very independent personality, a huge promise for the future, already evident: this wine has everything a world-class wine needs. (2/23/22)"

99 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Pontet-Canet is deep garnet-purple in color. It features notes of prunes, creme de cassis, and wilted roses, followed by suggestions of spice box, iron ore, Ceylon tea, and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich, concentrated, and seductive, with a racy backbone and ripe, fine-grained tannins supporting the complex, layered flavors, finishing long and minerally. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2026-2066. (5/9/22)"

99 points James Suckling: "The aromas to this are really amazing, with a potpourri of spices and dried flowers, as well as redcurrants, sweet plums and even some peaches. Full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and ultra-fine tannins that spread across the palate in an encompassing yet always elegant and pure way. It’s succulent and unadulterated. Like crushed, perfectly ripened grapes. The length is rather endless. The tannins build. Fabulous young red. 35% in amphora and the rest in 50% new oak and 15% one-year oak. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2028, but an absolute joy to taste now. (3/3/22)"

98 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Such gorgeous aromatics of freshly picked violets, cherries and bramble fruits - pretty and quite delicate. The texture is smooth and succulent, mouth coating but full of soft tannins which have the most delicious black cherry, blackcurrant flesh and liquorice tinge to them - so satisfying. Extremely well balanced and well integrated, this has restrained power, it's not rich or particularly round but straight, direct and layered rather than wide. Really long finish with great freshness and touches of cool blueberries. This is just such a great wine, everything you want and you know there's power there promising a long life. Great winemaking on show. 35% aged in concrete, 50% new oak, 15% in barrels of one year, for 16-18 months. This year there's a new label, the drawing of the house has remained but the font is more elegant and modern. A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Drinking Window: 2027-2047. (1/5/22)"

98 points Jane Anson: "Particularly successful during En Primeur, and even better now, just bursting out of the glass. Plump and fruit forward, plenty of character, with spiced cedar and smoked earth, violet and iris notes play around the edges, but the focus is on creamy cassis, bilberry, cocoa bean and aniseed. Last vintage with Jean-Michel Comme as technical director, and you really now see the skilled use of amphoras, which added notes of austerity in the early years (they introduced them in 2012) but now showcase the precision of the fruit. 100% 1st wine, with the ageing taking place in a mix of 45% new oak barrels, 15% one year barrels and 40% amphoras. (10/26/21)"

98 points La Revue du Vin de France: "2019 is superior, with a fresher fruit balance. Remarkably charming, the wine possesses that inimitable texture, with a very fine grain. The palate is fleshy, full-bodied and, above all, classy on the finish. (2023)"

98 points Wine Enthusiast: "The wine is so perfumed, with ripe tannins set beside the black currant purity. The wine does have weight but the fruit is so refined and vibrant. Tannins give a core for aging, offering the structure and the density of a very fine wine. Organic and biodynamic. Alcohol 14%. (Oct 2022)"