In the glass
Aroma: blueberries, dark cherry, vanilla, cassis, fresh herbs
Palate: red fruits, dark berries, velvety tannins, fresh acidity
Second wine of Pontet-Canet since 1982. Produced in limited quantities as Alfred Tesseron prefers lower yields and declassification over large second-wine production; earlier-drinking, approachable Pauillac from biodynamic-certified vineyards.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled lamb with herbs
The biodynamic fruit purity of Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet shines with simply grilled lamb; no heavy sauce needed. -
Duck rillettes with cornichons
Accessible tannins and fresh fruit handle preserved duck charcuterie without overpowering delicate preservation. -
Roast chicken thighs with root vegetables
Medium body and approachable structure make this an ideal everyday pairing for roasted poultry.
How to serve Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled lamb with herbs, Duck rillettes with cornichons, Roast chicken thighs with root vegetables. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
First produced in 1982. Production is intentionally modest because Tesseron family prefers lower grand vin yields over large second-wine declassification volumes. In several recent vintages the wine has not been produced at all. The estate's biodynamic certification extends to all vines.
- 1982 — First vintage of Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Pontet-Canet
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (4%), Petit Verdot (4%)
- Classification
- Pauillac AOC
- Oak
- 12 months in 30% new French oak barriques and neutral vessels
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- $30-55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1982
- Biodynamic
- Demeter Certified
- Organic
- ECOCERT
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Scores
- Wine Advocate 90 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2020)
Frequently asked about Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet
What does Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet taste like?
On the nose, blueberries, dark cherry, vanilla, cassis, fresh herbs. On the palate, red fruits, dark berries, velvety tannins, fresh acidity. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a medium, clean and fruit-forward finish. Second wine of Pontet-Canet since 1982. Produced in limited quantities as Alfred Tesseron prefers lower yields and declassification over large second-wine production; earlier-drinking, approachable Pauillac from biodynamic-certified vineyards.
When should I drink Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet?
Drink 3-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet?
Grilled lamb with herbs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Duck rillettes with cornichons and Roast chicken thighs with root vegetables. The biodynamic fruit purity of Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet shines with simply grilled lamb; no heavy sauce needed.
Is Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet vegan?
Yes. The producer documents no animal-derived fining agents in production, so the wine is suitable for vegan and vegetarian drinkers.
What grapes are in Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (4%), Petit Verdot (4%). The wine is classified as Pauillac AOC.