Château Pontet Labrie

"Hold onto your hats with this 2015 Château Pontet Labrie as it's an incredible Saint Emilion that does everything right! Based on 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in plenty of new oak, this rocking wine offers up a huge nose of sweet cassis, blueberries, graphite and flowers, whith just a touch of chocolatey oak showing in the background. Deep, full-bodied, incredibly sexy yet also incredibly elegant, it opens up beautifully with time in the glass and has a purity of fruit that makes it almost irresisible today. Nevertheless, it's going to keep for two decades or more in cool cellars. Hat's off to Jonathan Maltus for this awesome first release." Maturity 2018-2038.
96/100 Jeb Dunnuck (Oct-2018)

"the debut… ticked all the right boxes"

"A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, and matured in 80% new oak, it has a bright, well-defined bouquet with blackberry and bilberry fruit, demonstrating more precision than the 2015 Le Carré at this stage. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannin, very well-balanced with touches of blueberry and black cherry, fine delineation towards the finish that lingers long in the mouth. I think Maltus was correct: 2015 was the perfect way to introduce Le Pontet - this is splendid."
The Wine Advocate

"This is a round, concentrated wine, with fine berry fruits along alongside juicy dark plum. It is rich while keeping impressive freshness that comes from piercing acidity that cuts through at the end. The aftertaste shows spice, ginger and further tannins that promise aging."  
94–96/100 Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast 

Jonathan Maltus OBE is one of Bordeaux’ most pioneering and successful 100-point winemakers, famous for his single vineyard cru wines which are consistently highly-rated on both sides of the Atlantic.

In 2015 Jonathan approached us as he wanted to present a very special new wine: He has one last boutique vineyard, Pontet Labrie, on the plateau in Saint-Émilion on some of the best soils in the region, with old vines (some pre-’56), surrounded by Grand Cru Classé châteaux.  Production began with the 5-star 2015 vintage, acclaimed in Saint-Émilion as one of the greatest ever, of which Jonathan himself says “In 21 years making wine in the region, I don’t recall harvesting in conditions that ideal.”  

The entire production of this boutique wine (300 cases maximum per year) is available exclusively from Honest Grapes. You can also secure your allocation a a fixed price over a three-vintage period here.

Honest Grapes Chairman Nathan Hill went to see Jonathan  - you can read his update and tasting notes here.