Pontet Canet has always been a family owned property. The Pontet family began it all, and it remained with the Cruse family for 110 years and was bought by the Tesseron family in 1975.

Pontet-Canet underwent a dramatic quality revolution starting in 1994 under the management of Alfred Tesseron. The estate became fully biodynamic by 2005. This creates a clear divide between the “old era” and the “modern era” of the estate, which is reflected in the wine’s style and drinkability.

The Old Era (1982 – 1990)
These wines are fully mature. Drink now if you have them. The best years (82, 89, 90) are in their plateau of maturity, while weaker years are likely declining. Wines from this period are more austere and less concentrated than the modern era. They show classic cedar, tobacco, lead pencil, and blackcurrant notes. Tannins can be drying in lesser vintages.

Key vintages:
1982 (Legendary!)
1989/1990 (Excellent, solar vintages)

The Transition Period  (1994 – 2003)
The start of the quality rise. 1994-1999 are drinking very well now. 2000-2003 are powerful and just entering their early drinking window but will improve for decades. The Tesseron effect begins. Wines show more ripeness, denser fruit, and richer textures while still retaining a classic structure. Tannins become riper and more refined.

Key vintages:
1994 (Keynote vintage signifying the “first” of the modern era)
1995, 1996 (Excellent, structured wines)
2000 (Legendary, powerful wine)
2003 (Sun-drenched, warm vintage known for richness and opulence)

The Biodynamic Modern Era (2005 – now)
These are wines for the cellar. The great vintages (05, 09, 10, 16, 19) need 15-20+ years from vintage to truly show their best. Some are approachable now with long decants. Full-bodied, intensely concentrated, and deeply colored. The signature style is powerful black and red fruit, graphite, and incredible mineral energy and precision from biodynamics. Tannins are abundant but often very fine-grained.

Key vintages:
2005, 2009, 2010 (The monumental trio!)
2015, 2016 (Perfect, timeless classic, 15 being more lush and forward)
2018, 2019 (Rich, intense, solar vintages with lots of depth),
2020 (Powerful yet fresh)
2021 (Cooler vintage reminiscent of old-school Bordeaux classic)
2022 (Warm dry vintage creating extremely powerful, potent wine)