Nabuchodonosor Castle Pontet Canet - Pauillac 2016

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

the5/22/2017

60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot. 13,5 vol %, 34 hl/ha. Dichtes,dunkles Purpur mit lila Rand. Ausladendes Schattenmorellenbouquet, Kirschtabak und reife Pflaumen. Im Gaumen mit engmaschigem Tanningerüst und reifem, feinsprödem Extrakt, mit Muskeln und ordentlich Fleisch bepackt, im Rückaroma mit viel Heidelbeere und einem gebündelten langen Finale. Der Wein gleicht vom Typ eher einem Monte Bello von Ridge als einem Bordeaux.

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Robe noire, nez étonnant de naturel entre le havane et les fruits noirs, avec même une touche florale rarissime à Pauillac, et peut-être apportée par les raisins bios. Texture suave, un rien moins de milieu de bouche que quelques voisins, mais une grande longueur. Un grand vin mais 2015 faisait encore plus d’impression immédiate dans son contexte primeur.

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

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.

The Wine Cellar Insider

97-99 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Cassis drenched flowers, lead pencil, clay, spice, blackberry and cigar box aromatics win you over immediately. Purity and freshness, balance and harmony with length and character, this wine sneaks up on you — it tastes and feels wonderful. The finish keeps going, building in intensity and flavor, moving from red to black fruits, leaving you with red berries, spice and minerality. The tannins are silky, the fruit is sweet and there is more than ample lift here. The wine just does not quit. Produced from blending 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine is aging in 55% new French oak barrels, 35% in amphora and the remainder of wine in one year old casks. The harvest took place September 28 to October 12.

Vinous

96-99 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Pontet-Canet has been absolutely brilliant on the three occasions I’ve tasted it so far. Exotically ripe, powerful and voluptuous, it brings together the richness of the 2009 with the structure of the 2010. There aren't too many other 2016s where that is the case, but it is undoubtedly true here. The 2016 is a spectacular wine by any measure, while Pontet-Canet confirms its rarefied place as a true original in Bordeaux. Technical director Jean-Michel Comme added that Cabernet Sauvignon plays a slightly lesser role in the blend because the berries had less juice than normal at harvest. Comme also bumped up the new oak slightly, to 55 percent. The rest of the wine was aged in neutral oak (10 percent) and amphora (35 percent). In a word: Superb. Tasted three times.

Decanter.com

97 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017

This is richly layered with seductively ripe fruit. The quality and texture of the brambled blackberries, cassis and bilberries is striking. There is a sense of lightness and juiciness but also depth and flesh - you can feel the joy of that contrast at every step as the wine stretches out in front of you, hard to resist. 2016 is another vintage where they are up at 95%+ of grand vin, this year aged in 55% new casks, 10% in one year old casks and 35% in amphorae. Feel the effects of biodynamics make Pontet Canet stand out for its energy and lush tannins, even with the concentration of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050

matthewjukes.com

19,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(60 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 4 Cabernet Franc, 1 Petit Verdot) | 13.5% alc. | 34hl/ha. - and this is 1 hl/ha. over the average over the last ten years, too, and there is no green harvest here either - making it possibly unique in Bordeaux. This is an exceedingly rich and decadent Pontet-Canet on the nose, and there is masses of power and amplitude on the palate, too. The fruit is dense, bold, layered and sophisticated and the class and breeding is very plain to see. This is a staggering tour de force for this Château. The balance between modern fruit intensity and fascinating antique flavours is unique. 19.5+

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Picked 28 September to 12 October. Director Jean-Michel Comme says maybe a bit earlier than some. I'm not sure. They've been biodynamic for 12 years but 2007 was so bad that they had to abandon status. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 34 hl/ha – reduced to that from spring pruning. Very dark crimson. More savoury and sumptuous than many of its neighbours. Blackberry compote and very round and rich and satiny. Very round. Almost too sweet but that is to complain needlessly. Already rich and enjoyable but masses of tannins too. Long and throbbing. Excellent with freshness and cleanliness and round. Pretty sweet though so it's a definite style. 

Wine Enthusiast

97-99 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This wine is so dense and concentrated, with magnificent fruit. The tannins are velvety, but, at the same time, the wine has a dry side that will allow it to age so well. Juicy blackberries and great tannins work in harmony. The estate is in its seventh vintage certified biodynamic.

Jamessuckling.com

98-99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

Vivid and full of energy with blackberry, currant and salt. Full body, intense and long. Harmony. Purpose. Classicism. The mineral and currant character is all year. A seamless tannin texture. Great wine. You want to drink it now!