2009 Château Pouget

[AlexR]

With 10 hectares of vines in Cantenac, Pouget may not be the smallest classified growth in the Médoc, but it's certainly one of the most obscure. It used to be said that Ch. Ferrière was the smallest, but I think that has changed.

Owned by the Guillemet family, fourth growth Château Pouget is the sister château of third growth Boyd Cantenac. One doesn’t see it very often and it is sold through just one or two négociants.

I’ve rarely had the wine, which is aged in the Boyd Cantenac cellars.

Pouget is a great one for blind tasting because it’s not an estate one thinks of spontaneously and neither does it have a great deal of that enigmatic and elusive Margaux character.

I quite like 2009 Médocs, especially Saint Julien and Pauillac. I invited two wine buddies over to dinner last week and served this blind with the cheese platter. It was pretty quickly identified at a Médoc, but people struggled from that point on. This was, above all, an old-fashioned Médoc with those earthy, “old library”, and prune aromatics, along with a touch of fennel. The wine was unquestionably austere on the palate, but went well with the food (duck confit). This Pouget was the opposite of a flashy “sweet” wine, in a style referred to as modern. It was instead a little dry and unyielding. One person referred to a rustic quality. I’m sure 2009 Pouget will soften a little in years to come, but there’s the age-old issue of whether the fruit will keep pace. Color me sceptical.

The verdict was that this was a good rather than a very good or great wine. Everyone was nevertheless glad to taste it for the first time or become re-acquainted with it.

Best regards,
Alex R.

[JimHow]

I quite like 2009 Médocs, especially Saint Julien and Pauillac.

I need to visit one of the few 2009s I have in my cellar. I've been skeptical about this vintage.

[DavidG]

I agree with Alex about 2009 Medocs. Calon Segur, Pontet Canet, Gruaud, Leoville Barton, both Pichons, and I'll add in Haut Bailly and Haut Brion to include Pessac all hold more interest for my palate than the soulless, Stepford Wives wines that some see them as. I think they'll be even better in a few Blanquitos.

[AlexR]

Received wisdom is that the 2010s are "better" than the 2009s.

Well, the former have better ageing potential, and some 2009 Right Bank wines are a little high in alcohol, but 2009 Médocs have a sensua fruity richness to them I just love.

It's been a while since I ever compared the two vintages side by side.

Anyone else?

Here are some thoughts from Berserkers (old thread): https://www.wineberserkers.com/t/bordea ... 2010/67088


Alex

[stefan]

Five years ago the 2010s I tried were undrinkable, while the 2009s already had the sensual fruity richness you mention. Not sure that I will live long enough to enjoy the better 2010s. One year ago one of the lesser 2010s (Haut Bergey) was approachable, but clearly still on the upslope. I don't have any lesser 2009s to try for comparison.

[JimHow]

Jacques brought a 2010 Troplong Mondot to my house one summer, it was like a gazillion percent alcohol. Holy shit. Hold on for the ride, cowboy! You know, in the end, though, we both liked it!

[Comte Flaneur]

Alex served the 2010 Troplong Mondot to Patrick (Blanquito) and I at his house in October 2021. It was indeed high in alcohol, tipping the scales at 16%. But it wasn't the horror show that I feared. But it was no great shakes either. The modern Troplongs with the ABVs since 2017 dialed down to 14.5% (lol) are much better wines, and offer notable value given the hallowed terroir.

Re 2009s and 2010s I think generally the top wines have quite a long way to travel to reach their plateaus. Pontet Canet 2009 was my pick in our recent vertical but still very primary and the 2010 even more and Napa-esque. I do think the 2009s have their noses - and heads - in front of the 2010s - and I think both will turn out really well. Wines I hope I can enjoy in my 70s.

[stefan]

Hmm. I thought I might pop a 2009 Pontet Canet this year, but your comment suggests that I should wait a while longer.

[Comte Flaneur]

If you have 6 or 12 stefan there is no harm in popping one now, which is what I did in effect, as the bottle was one of my contributions for our vertical dinner back in October. I have five left, and certainly don’t regret sacrificing it for the greater good.

I remember Alex telling me he was bowled over by this wine when he tasted it from barrel, assiduously assuring me that it was not Parkerised and we both promised each other we would share a bottle one day. I have a hunch that will be quite soon given that Alex, like Jim, likes to drink them on the young side.

But I would judge that the 2009 is at least one, probably two, Blanquitos away from entering its plateau of maturity.

[Nicklasss]

i agree that the 2009 Pontet Canet is so good, no problem to open a bottle now, if you have a few bottles. personally, i think it is one of the best Pontet Canet i had!

[stefan]

I think I only bought three, Ian. Current price is about the same as for the 2009 Pichons, so also the marked rates 2009 Pontet Canet hightly.