2002 Chateau Pontet-Canet  Magnum (1.5 ltr)  $195

About Chateau Pontet-Canet
 "The origins of the vineyard date back to the beginning of the 18th century, when Jean François Pontet, Master of the King's Horse and Major-General of the Médoc, put together several parcels of land to the north-west of Pauillac, just a few hundred metres from the Gironde , the great river of Bordeaux. A few years later, his descendants completed the work by acquiring the vineyards known as "La Maison de Canet". In the year 1750 one of the biggest wine estates in the Médoc was created - Château Pontet-Canet The most important feature of this estate was, and still is, the outcrops of gravelly soil, some of which are nearly 30 metres above sea-level, and it is these parts of the vineyard that give the property its extraordinary potential. Appellation : Pauillac Area : 120 hectares, 80 under vines Geology : Soil : Quaternary gravels Sub-soil : clay / limestone Grape varieties : Cabernets : Sauvignons 60%, Francs 5%, Merlots 33% and Petit Verdot 2% Average age of vines : 35 years Density of planting : 9000 vines per hectare Fertilisation : Organic manure Pruning : Guyot-double Médocaine Harvesting : By hand, in "cagettes""

92 points Wine Spectator: "A solid wine with berry, currant, and mineral character, with hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Racy. Alfred Tesseron is making excellent wine nearly every year now. One of the few 2002s better than 2001. Best after 2008. (3/31/05)"

91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Red-ruby. Cool aromas of blackcurrant, espresso and menthol. Then sweet and pliant in the mouth, with concentrated, very pure currant, chocolate and mint flavors. Wonderfully smooth for the vintage. Broadens out impressively on the back end, finishing with firm, ripe tannins. (May/Jun 2005)"

90-92 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
A thick, unctuous texture immediately suggests something rather special. Substantial tannins emerge in the finish, suggesting this is another Pauillac that will require plenty of cellaring. Approximately two-thirds of the production made it into this 2002. A dense purple color accompanies aromas of pure, rich creme de cassis. With medium to full body, and a long, concentrated finish, it should be at its finest between 2010-2025. This is a very classic wine.