2024, Château Pontet-Canet, PAUILLAC, 5ème Grand Cru ClasséLast year EP $148. 00 Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. The 2024 is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Harvest started on 26th September for the Merlot, but didn't finish until 9th October for the last Cabernets. The 2024 Pontet Canet underlines the fact that daring to harvest late paid dividends in this challenging vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, black

and that very much comes through in the wine's aromatic presence and shape

in not extracting any rough tannins

It is scrumptious right now in this fruity flush of youth

Léoville Barton is also wonderfully deep and expressive

Owner Caroline Frey has made the decision to produce a single Hermitage cuvée from their exceptional terroir

cherry drops and cassis - that is layered with a stony

cigar wrapper and exotic spices

The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron is matured in 70% new oak

The 2021 Clos du Marquis has quite a tight nose that demands more coaxing from the glass than its peers

even with small amounts of irrigation of vines between 3 and 7 years old

not quite so complete

suggesting the need for some serious bottle age