Château Pontet Canet, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2025

Justine explained they sprayed a kaolin solution to protect the vines from the heat of the sun. There's a slight medicinal note and faint whiff of plasticene, mixed with polished red berry fruit and flowers. Sleek, polished and backlit with plenty of ripe but crunchy tannin below the fruit. Notes of raspberry, cassis, blackcurrant leaf, suggestions of crunchy summer pudding are accompanied by a verdant freshness. Not grand but rather accomplished and classical.