PONTET CANET 2011

A big, broad-shouldered style, with lots of bittersweet cocoa and coffee up front, followed by thick-textured blackberry and black currant fruit. Shows a bit more brute force than purity right now, though hard to deny the concentration and depth. Could move up if it stretches out and gains some finesse.

A wine with very clear fruit definition and minerals with hints of flowers. Full body with fine tannins and a a fresh finish. Mineral and dried flowers. Long and crisp. Lovely quality of tannins here. Racy. Lover to see a little more fruit concentration in mid-palate.

Once again proprietor Alfred Tesseron has produced a wine of first-growth potential. One of the superstars of the vintage, Pontet-Canet’s 2011 exhibits an opaque purple color and a glorious bouquet of incense, subtle toast and copious quantities of creme de cassis. There is a floral underpinning, decent acidity and ripe tannin to this full-bodied effort. Big, rich, round and generously endowed, it should drink well for 20-25+ years. Drink: 2012-2037.