Chateau Pontet-Canet Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 2013 750ml

Château Pontet-Canet is a Pauillac Fifth Growth, classified in 1855, and owned by the Tesseron family. Its 81 hectares, about 100 plots and 800,000 vines, overlook the Gironde, and the estate is farmed biodynamically.

2013 brought a cold, damp spring and heavy shatter, especially in the Merlot, and the estate calls it its smallest crop in many years. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, harvested from 30 September to 10 October. The technical sheet lists 13% alcohol.

The estate describes a bright carmine color, aromas of fresh herbs, thyme, redcurrant and cherry with a hint of spice, and a fine, powdery texture with pure fruit and a long, fresh, elegant finish. Wine Advocate calls it elegantly styled and wonderfully refreshing in the mouth.

Against Château Lynch-Bages 2019, the Pontet-Canet 2013 is the lighter, earlier-drinking Pauillac from a cool year; for a Left Bank bottle to open tonight, choose Pontet-Canet.

James Suckling says you really want to drink this the minute you taste it. Serve it with roast lamb or duck.

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