Château Pontet-Canet, history, estate, wines

The fertile soils on the left bank of the Gironde are home to this vineyard. Château Pontet-Canet is renowned for its rich, smooth wines with good ageing potential. Classed as the fifth Grand Cru in the official classification of Bordeaux wines in 1855, this estate is also part of the legend of Bordeaux winegrowers. Discover the history of this estate, its vineyards and its wines

History of Château Pontet-Canet: key points

Located in the Pauillac AOC, the history of this château, which produces vintage after vintage, dates back to the 18th century. Over the course of three centuries, the estate has passed through the hands of three different families. Originally, it belonged to Jean-François de Pontet, Governor of the Médoc and Grand Esquire to the King of France. Part of the château bears his name. In 1865, the property was put up for sale. The Cruse dynasty, a wealthy family of merchants, fell in love with it and bought it. They brought it up to date by modernising the estate and improving the wine-making process. But the financial crisis of the mid-1970s affected the businesses of many wine merchants. The Cruse family was forced to sell the estate. The estate was taken over by Guy Tesseron, who was well established in the region. Tesseron, a great name in Cognac, gave the estate a new lease of life. Supported by his children and nieces, Guy Tesseron introduced biodynamic viticulture in 2004. This method consists of limiting inputs while intensifying the life of the soil in order to fortify the vines through a sort of preventive treatment. This modern viticulture method, which respects nature and the environment, has made a major contribution to the reputation of Château Pontet-Cantet wines

Vineyard of the estate

This family-run business produces certified organic wines of rare quality. Its wines were certified biodyvins and Ecocert in 2010 and Demeter in 2014. These certifications are granted as products of biodynamic agriculture. The estate covers 120 hectares, 80 of which are planted with vines. The vineyard lies just south of the famous Premier Cru Château Mouton Rotschild. The well-drained subsoils are composed of clay, limestone and gravel. This type of soil stores heat during the day and releases it at night. The grape varieties planted at Château Pontent-Canet are Cabernet-Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and 1% Petit Verdot. The vines have an average lifespan of 45 years, with the oldest reaching 80 years. As part of an innovative biodynamic approach aimed at rehabilitating the organic life of the soil, the natural environment is respected. The estate does not use tractors for heavy work in the vineyard, but horses. The grapes are sorted and de-stemmed by hand, then sorted a second time on vibrating sorting tables before being transferred to the vats. Fermentation is produced by indigenous yeasts. The wines are then matured in terracotta and cement amphora jars and barrels. Wines matured in these containers benefit from greater minerality, softer textures and less contact with the air. This vinification process is responsible for the energetic, intense character attributed to this wine. As the years go by, the younger wines also gain in precision while becoming more powerful

The distinctive style of Château Pontet-Canet wines

There's no shortage of adjectives to describe the château's wines. Sublime, magnificent, elegant, majestic, absolutely breathtaking, racy and light... the estate's wines never cease to offer a unique tasting experience. The young wines from 2015 onwards have a high level of tannin and concentration, but they improve with 10-12-15 years in bottle. These characteristics may vary depending on the vintage. As for the older vintages, once they have reached maturity, they form a formidable combination of precision and power