2010 Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 750 ml

Robert Parker’s reaction to the 2010 Château Pontet-Canet ranks among the most extraordinary of his career. In a gushing 264-word review written upon release, the critic called the 2010 an “absolutely amazing wine” that is “remarkable to behold and experience,” predicting a lifespan of up to 75 years. 

Fast forward to 2020. Same publication, different critic, same conclusion: perfection. Wine Advocate reaffirmed the 2010’s 100-point score, placing it ahead of First Growths Château Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, and Haut-Brion. 

Two years ago, we jumped at the chance to arrange and host a private tasting with Château Pontet-Canet’s Alfred Tesseron. The inimitable vintner regaled us with stories about upgrading various aspects of their process, including converting to biodynamic viticulture, switching from tractors to horses for reduced soil impaction, and building innovative cement fermentation tanks with gravel from the property itself to “better integrate the terroir.”  

We tasted through the current release and several back-vintages, but we couldn’t stop talking about the 2010, hailing from a year that is a Bordeaux collector’s nirvana. Deeply concentrated and powerful, the top 2010s had the black-fruit intensity of 2009 combined with the ageworthy structure of 2005. 

Now, a decade after the vintage, just three Pauillac châteaux hold perfect scores from the vintage. Two of them are First Growths—and the other is Pontet-Canet. Thanks to Alfred, his daughter Justine, and to you, our loyal Bordeaux collectors, we’ve got this special release, straight from the cellars in Pauillac. It’s a textbook wine from the property, with Pauillac's signature balance of power and elegance on full display, and it will continue to delight through the decades.