Weinwisser 19/20 Punkte 
Tiefes Purpur mit satter Mitte und violettem Rand. Reifes Heidelbeerbouquet und erkalteter Waldfrüchtetee, dahinter Kirschlikör, Nougatpralinen und Damassine. Am cremigen Gaumen mit reifer Extraktsüsse und bereits abgerundeten Tanninen, die Muskeln sind förmlich integriert. Im gebündelten, fein aromatischen Finale eine volle Ladung blauer Beeren, Lakritze und Beerenkompott – konzentriert, nachhaltig und balanciert. Was für eine Schönheit! Nach der Assemblage habe ich völlig vergessen zu fragen (Anm. d. Red.: 70 % C. Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot, 5 % C. Franc, 3 % Petit Verdot), es gibt aufgrund der Mehltauattacken nur eine ganz kleine Menge. Da sollte man schnell zuschlagen und kaufen. 

James Suckling 
A complex nose of blueberries, elderberries, dried fruit, spice and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied with a harmonious, balanced texture. The tannins are still firm and powerful, but there’s balance and finesse to the whole thing. Tight and reserved, yet long and energetic. The tannins open slowly. Dusty texture. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2024. 

Wine Advocate 
The 2018 Pontet-Canet is made up of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Picking began on September 24 and finished on October 5; aging is in 55% oak barriques and 45% amphorae. Very deep purple-black in color, it comes rolling sensuously out of the glass with all the opulence and seduction of Cleopatra on a carpet. It emerges with flamboyant scents of crème de cassis, preserved plums and blueberry compote, and after a few moments, it bursts with nuances of molten licorice, sandalwood, Chinese five spice, candied violets, dark chocolate and dried roses, followed by underlying earthy suggestions of fallen leaves, black truffles, underbrush and wild sage. Full-bodied, wonderfully dense, rich, impossibly layered and very, very decadent, the palate delivers all it promises on the nose, with a firm, wonderfully velvety frame and finishing with epic length, a scintillating wave of freshness and a beguiling perfume. This is one for true hedonists. 

Jeff Leve 
Inky in color, you have a hard time seeing into the glass. The wine opens with notes of wet clay, flowers, black plums, truffle, black currants, and blackberries. On the palate, the wine is intensely concentrated with seemingly endless layers of rich, deep, opulent, black, and red fruits. There is an opulence to the fruits, along with freshness and velvet-textured tannins that make you want to go back for sip after sip. The endnote with a refreshing touch of mint and spice is exactly the perfect touch. Give this another decade in the cellar to age and it will be incredible for at least another 2-3 decades after that. Not much of this gem is going to be available as yields were only 11 hectoliters per hectare due to outbreaks of mildew. This is a candidate for triple-digits when fully mature! The wine blends 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2032-2065.