About Château Pontet-Canet
Pontet-Canet sits on the Pauillac plateau directly beside Mouton Rothschild and was ranked a fifth growth in 1855. The Tesseron family, Cognac merchants, bought it in 1975, and Alfred Tesseron drove the changes that reset its reputation. Conversion to biodynamic farming began in 2004 and certification followed in 2010, making it the first classed growth in the Médoc to go that route. Horses plough the oldest parcels, and part of each vintage is raised in concrete amphorae made from clay dug on the estate rather than in oak. The 2003, 2009 and 2010 vintages are the ones that made critics reconsider where it belongs.
Pauillac produces the most structured Cabernet in Bordeaux. Our Pauillac Wines and Bordeaux Wines pages cover the neighboring châteaux, and Cabernet Sauvignon follows the grape further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pontet-Canet biodynamic?
Yes, and it was first. Conversion started in 2004 and certification came in 2010, ahead of every other classed growth in the Médoc. Horses work the older parcels and no synthetic treatments are used.
Which Pontet-Canet vintages are the best?
2003 is the vintage that changed how the estate was seen, made in a brutally hot year that flattened many of its neighbors. 2009 and 2010 are the modern benchmarks, with 2015 and 2016 both strong. The 2003 still trades below comparable Pauillac from the same year.
Why does Pontet-Canet use concrete amphorae?
To let the wine show fruit and site without oak sitting on top of it. The vessels are made from clay taken from the estate, and a share of each vintage is raised in them alongside the barrels.
How long does Pontet-Canet age?
Twelve to fifteen years for strong vintages, holding for thirty. Since the biodynamic conversion the wines have been firmer young and slower to open than they were in the 1990s.