Château Pontet-Canet 2016

100 pts, Wine Enthusiast

A 2016 from Château Pontet-Canet, a Cinquième Cru Classé in Pauillac that has farmed biodynamically since the mid-1990s under Alfred Tesseron, fermenting with native yeast in concrete tanks and aging part of the wine in custom concrete amphorae, a genuinely experimental approach for a classified Bordeaux estate. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, at 14.5% ABV.

Near-opaque in color, with smoky blackberry, wet earth, underbrush, cassis, plum, licorice, and graphite, backed by firm, grainy tannins and real freshness. The scores read like a greatest hits list: Wine Enthusiast gave it a perfect 100, with Vinous, Wine Independent, and Wine Cellar Insider all at 99, Decanter and Jane Anson at 98, and James Suckling at 97. One of the most acclaimed Bordeaux vintages on our list, for someone who wants the real thing.