Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2020

99 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2020 is spectacular. Right from the nose, the tone is set, with great complexity: notes of fruit, charcoal, graphite... The wine is spectacular on the palate too, full and vibrant. A hint of acidity gives it great resilience and stretches the finish. A bottle of absolute harmony. (2024)"

98 points James Suckling: "Aromas of blackcurrants and black cherries with hints of crushed walnuts, grilled thyme, cocoa powder and graphite. It’s full-bodied with layers of ultra-fine, silky tannins that elegantly coat your palate, allowing the juicy and vibrant fruit to shine. Delicate and pristine, yet compact with lots of energy and power to uncover in the coming years. It lasts for minutes and is delicious now. The purity of fruit is really impressive. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 50% new oak 15% old oak and 35% concrete amphorae. Try after 2027. (2/6/23)"

97+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "The flagship from this estate, the 2020 Château Pontet-Canet is a beauty based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new oak, with 35% in amphora. Deep purple-hued with a great nose of dark currants, plums, tobacco leaf, and truffly earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel and a great finish. The higher Merlot content here really shows in its overall sexy, supple, seamless style, and while this already offers pleasure, it's going to be one for the ages as well. Drink: 2031-2066. (3/29/23)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Pontet-Canet is deep garnet-purple colored. It needs a lot of swirling and aeration to coax out notes of crushed blackcurrants, blueberry compote, and candied violets, leading to suggestions of allspice, fertile loam, kirsch, and dark chocolate with a touch of Indian spices. The medium-bodied palate delivers a firm backbone of grainy tannins with loads of bright, perfumed red and black fruits and seamless acidity, finishing long and fragrant. This is stunning. Alcohol 13%. Drink: 2028-2060. (3/12/23)"

97 points Jane Anson: "(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot). A powerful character to this wine, touch of oyster shell, soy, salinity, but also creamy with energy, lift and precision, and a violet character that you find increasingly in Pontet Canet. Plenty of Pauillac signature in its tannic grip and heft, with cocoa bean and slate. Deft and exceptionally successful. Harvest September 14 to September 30. No second wine, as has been true for the past half-decade at Pontet Canet. First full vintage for Mathieu Bessonnet who replaced the previous long-term director Jean-Michel Comme in 2020. 45% new oak barrels, 15% one year, 40% in amphoras. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2030-2050. (11/29/22)"

97 points Wine Enthusiast: "The magnificent structure and balance of this wine are powerful. It shows poise between the black fruits and the freshness of the vintage, while the texture is almost velvet. The wine is juicy and seriously structured at the same time. Drink from 2027. Organic and biodynamic. Alcohol 14%. (Apr 2023)"

97 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Dark chocolate, bramble tones, not overly floral or fruity with some cedar and cinnamon notes. Lovely high acidity straight away, forward, bright and energetic with lovely crunchy blue fruit on the palate but creamy textured tannins giving a round and complete mouthful. Nothing feels overdone, this is quietly seductive and confident but not at all showing off. I love the minerality and the graphite grip with plum and black cherry and tons of slate, liquorice and menthol freshness. Long finish, slowly expansive, building and growing from start to finish showing an impressive structure overall. Nicely constructed, charming still with the Pauillac touch. A great Pontet - immediately seductive and enjoyable with a long ageing potential. Drinking Window: 2027-2048. (Jan 2023)"

96 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, opaque core, delicate rim brightening. Black cherries, fine cassis, ripe plums, hints of nougat, candied orange zest, very fine noble wood savouriness, inviting bouquet. Complex, juicy, savoury texture, peppery touch, ripe and fine tannins, taut, mineral-salty finish, very structured, still somewhat demanding on the finish, will benefit from extended bottle aging. 2030-2065. (2/22/23)"