Decanter World Wine Awards
Bordeaux 2011: Pontet Canet release galvanises en primeur
- Wednesday 9 May 2012
The 2011 from the Pauillac fifth-growth, which is certified biodymic, has been highly praised by critics and merchants alike. Steven Spurrier for Decanter gave it 18 points, describing it as ‘both exuberant and classic… a wonderfully elegant Pauillac with superb vineyard expression.’
Merchants are delighted to see what one called ‘one of the shooting stars’ of recent vintages coming out at a reasonable price: €66 ex-negociant, which translates to around £725 a case. This compares with a release price of €100 ex-negociant on the 2010.
‘I’m happy to report that the sales room is buzzing since the release of Pontet Canet. First Growth quality at sub £800 a dozen is a no-brainer and it’s nice to see staff and customers so enthusiastic,’ Simon Davies at Fine & Rare in London said.
At Lea & Sandeman, Charles Lea noted, ‘It is true you can still buy the really fantastic 2004 for less... but more recent vintages are all trading well above this price… so this comes recommended.’
The 2004 is now trading at around £550, the 2009 at around £1800 and the 2010 at around £1100 a case.
Pontet Canet’s owner Alfred Tesseron told Decanter.com during en primeur week in April he ‘would not go against the market’ when he set his price – and he would keep the UK at the front of his mind. ‘I never forget the UK. Every Englishman is a merchant.’
He added that Pontet Canet ‘is a world brand’, and that he considered the 2011 vintage an opportunity for ‘gettting back into the US market.’
Over 90% of the crop went into the first wine this year at Pontet Canet - a high percentage compared with many properties.
Have your say!
Paulo
May 13 23:23
Agree with Reece Clarke above: my money went into 2008 instead. I'm sure I'll be able to get the 2011 later in bottle for largely the same price or less than EP if the 2009/10 are anything to go buy.
reece clarke
May 11 18:52
I still don't think they did quite enough on price for this vintage although applaudible compared to say Cos.
For the meagre price difference (marginal increase) you would still buy the 2006 and 2008 Pontet as:
a) Both stocks are physical so no EP risk or liquidity issue
b) the 2006 has 95+ confirmed and the 2008 has 96. The 2011 has 93 - 95.
c) Both deemed as better vintages
Filip Verheyden
May 10 10:54
Very well played of Pontet Canet: why selecting further when biodynamics is already a "selection" (including crop loss)? 90% of the wines go into the grand vin. To make up for lower yields. Will Pontet Canet stop production of its second vin in a few years? Very good marketing strategy! Next step: bottle under screwcap! Bordeaux needs rebels like Pontet Canet and Latour.
Eddie
May 10 10:06
Good news indeed, but the price should be seen against the background of a large production of the 2011 vintage ( of very fine quality, on tasting again last week ) plus the desire to expand distribution ie USA, not typical of other Chateaux I suggest.