Country: France Region: Bordeaux (Pauillac) Vintage: 2016 Forget everything, start afresh and erase old habits in order to re-connect with nature, be born anew … Alfred Tesseron and his team, led by Jean-Michel Comme, Pontet-Canet’s régisseur (estate manager) since 1989, have completely transformed both the vineyard and the identity of Château Pontet-Canet. Leaving behind conventional vine growing techniques in order to embrace organic and biodynamic methods, utilising horses in the vineyards. They have allowed the terroir to reclaim its origins; the vines seem liberated and the grapes have never been more beautiful. The wines of Pontet-Canet have progressed so much that they are now among the most prestigious in Bordeaux.Alfred Tesseron has been making classic Pauillac here every year since the excellent 1994 and recent vintages have been amongst the best ever, scoring impressively when shown in blind tastings. Pontet Canet is now pushing the Pichons as Pauillac's top non-first growth. Grapes are manually sorted by a team of 30 people on specially made sorting tables.This wine is at the pinnacle of the vintage, one of the finest wines made. Energetic and with fabulous substance, it offers supreme balance, with a magical hue and a taffeta touch. Fruit, tannins and acidity all meld with sumptuous harmony. Another masterpiece."The 2016 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot and 39% Merlot, less Cabernet this year because of the size of the berries. I tasted the wine on two visits to the property around two weeks apart, plus additional tastings at négoçiants. It has an intense bouquet with layers of blackberry, sloes and fresh mint, just a hint of black truffle in the background. It is certainly a little more opulent compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, a little spicier than I expected (in a positive sense) with gentle grip in the mouth. It fans out with confidence, a voluminous Pontet-Canet with an extremely persistent aftertaste, and a saline and balsamic finish. This is an extravagant Pauillac for the vintage that will age over many years. Drink 2026 - 2050.95 - 97 Points."