A lot of rain in spring, just the right meteorological conditions during flowering, a very dry summer, enough rainfall before the harvest so that the vines could regenerate. This is how you could sum up the year 2020 in Bordeaux. But no matter how the vintage turns out, Château Pontet-Canet always has something unique about it in Pauillac, and indeed in all of Bordeaux. Some describe the special thing as “Burgundian”, others speak of the fruit, which is strongly characterized by cherries and herbs, which makes the wines so unique and contrasting to the other Pauillac style in the nose. In 2020, the cuvée consists of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, supplemented by 32% Merlot and 4% each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The aging takes place not only in new barriques, but also to a large extent in concrete amphoras and in used barrels. 2020 was the first year that Mathieu Bessonnet, who replaced long-time director Jean-Michel Comme, was completely responsible for. A son of the region who has basically come home again after working at Chapoutier on the Rhône. Black cherry, raspberry, wild flowers and herbs in the complex nose. Red and dark fruity. Dense, very precise, with a lot of elegance and complexity. Firmer than 2019, with a lot of meatiness and fullness in the mouth. Rosemary, sage and mint, and given the vintage, with a pleasantly fresh acidity. Everything is elegant and nothing is over-focused. Rolf Bichsel summed it up in VINUM: “Once again a category in its own right.” Delivered in a 6-piece wooden box.