Millesima USA LLC – New York Fine Wine Merchant
With 81 hectares of certified organic and biodynamic vines, Chateau Pontet-Canet, Grand Cru Classe, is one of the largest estates in the Bordeaux appellation of Pauillac. Celebrated for their wine, this year the estate is making a name for itself breaking all the rules.
Traditionally Bordeaux en Primeur begins in April with an official tasting week, when critics from around the world descend on Bordeaux to taste the latest vintage straight from the barrel. Typically, after the scores have been released the estates release pricing information to the brokers and futures speculation begins.
Today, in a boldly historic move, the week before the critics are due to arrive, Chateau Pontet-Canet released the pricing information for their 2013 Vintage.
The 2013 Vintage
With very poor sandy-gravel soils the plots of Chateau Pontet-Canet are ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. Using biodynamic and organic practices, the estate relies on a philosophy of limited intervention utilizing traditional vinification and cultivation methods. The combination of these gravel soils and chemical-free viticulture forces the vines to struggle and naturally limits yields, producing distinctly concentrated and delicious fruit.
Due to difficult weather conditions, 2013 was a difficult year for the estates in Bordeaux and for Pontet-Canet it was no different. With yields of only 15 hectoliters per hectare, the production at Chateau Pontet-Canet was 50% less than the 2012 vintage.
Playing more on delicacy than on the strength of the wood aging, Pontet Canet beautifully expresses the fruitiness, minerality and elegance of Pauillac. This wine is in keeping with the 2011 and 2012 vintages. Elegant and subtle, Chateau Pontet-Canet capitalized on a difficult vintage, selecting only the most suitable berries to create an exceptional wine. 2013: a surprising vintage.