Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The fruits are dark & muted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, plums with strawberries come on late. Lots of moist clay, dry soils, deep dark spice, crushed, rock powder, graphite, black, dry soils, hints of green bell pepper, dry herbs with blue, dark withering flowers. The acidity is round but could be better. The long finish is balanced but, for me, comes up short and a little flat.

Photos of; our dinner group, The K&L Bordeaux Buyer-Ralph Sands and Alfred talking about the wines, Clyde Beffa Jr. -Owner of K&L Wine Merchants and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.4

I have opened the 2010 Chateau Cantemerle Haute-Medoc. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

The nose upon first opening is a little tight and at first not willing to show its true self. After awhile this wine starts to open and its true self becomes obvious. With vigorous swirling the red fruit comes through. There is cherry, strawberry, plum, red currant, herbaceous notes, mocha, sweet licorice, sweet oak and violet floral notes.

On the palate we have black cherry, strawberry, plum, raspberry, herbaceousness, mint, slight oak notes and crushed gravel.

The wine is medium to full bodied, medium + acidity, medium + sandy tannins that leads to a long lingering enjoyable finish. This wine is everything I look for in a good Left Bank Bordeaux. Drink now or cellar for another 10 years. Have a great start to your work week and please be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago

Bruce Shook

9.0

Great value for the price. An easy drinking Cabernet with an interesting twist. The bourbon barrel aging comes through as a slight hint of vanilla. — 9 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.0

Holding up nicely, the vintage character comes through as this is a subtle Bordeaux marrying elegance and power nicely with good acidity and plenty of tannin that is starting to soften. Not a long term aged this should go another 10 easy. — 10 years ago

Roger Cabrera

9.0

Glorious to behold. Elegant body with a thin waist. The minerality comes through like a proper burgundy and its elegance, with notes of green apples, underripe white peaches, white flowers, and candied citrus is just captivating. Elegance. — 10 years ago

Jay Svoboda

9.0

I know there's an argument to be made for where the best Sauv Blanc comes from, but I truly love New Zealand. If you want pure tropical fruits and super crisp acidity, NZ can always be counted on. This bottle is no exception, and a bargain to boot. — 11 years ago

Greg Sorensen

9.6

2001s built for the cellar when it comes to traditional Rioja. La Rioja Alta 904 continues to be one of the standout wines of the genre. — 12 years ago

Keith Lite

9.2

Still very youthful. Earthy and Spicebox on the nose. The cabernet comes through with each taste and after a hour of decanting it really opened up. Wonderful aromas and many layers. Beautiful — 6 years ago

Dean Bernal Sr.

9.0

2012 Papillon by Orin Swift. Deep red fruit with a smooth, peppery (Cab Franc) twist.
Shhh, no need to speak. A melody comes back to me that we’ve heard before. For all this time, entangled in thoughts, dreaming in reality, I wait... — 7 years ago

with April, Jeff and 1 other

Richard Gray

9.3

Rich black cherry and blueberry on the nose and a very dark color. The richness of the nose leads to more of a medium body which initially disappoints, but the flavor is fantastic. Medium tannins with more rich, juicy fruit and some clay and a tad of spiciness. The oak comes through nicely and it’s well balanced. — 8 years ago

Corey Long

9.4

I just don't have much discipline when it comes to aging wines, I gave in and drank a few glasses of this super young bottle, but it was still so darn good. — 9 years ago

Rodney Martin

9.0

Smooth, very accessible wine; comes in a handy 4L bottle for those times when five+ 750 mL bottles for an evening with friends simply won't do. — 10 years ago

Peter N

9.0

Bright and light lemony yellow. Pure semillon aromas with some beeswax. Fresh, sleek texture.; lemon shortbread comes to mind. Long @olmsteadwine — 11 years ago

David Crusellas

9.1

Great one, balance and tasty - www.viaspic.com — 11 years ago

Greg Helmer

9.3

This is classic Cab. It should be for the price. Deep rich full, but just not as flavorful as a $75 bottle should be. I’ve got more to enjoy in the cellar and I’ll get another case when the time comes. — 6 years ago

Clive McNish

9.4

Been looking forward to this one. Initially tight and closed on the nose. Beautiful violet colour and comes to life after 2 hours in the decanter. Lots of depth and structure but not overly sweet like some extracted wines. Smooth with blackcurrant, cherry, lavender and marshmallow on the palate. Tannins are supporting the wine but are subtly integrated and allow the finish to be long and rich. I’m sure it’s going to get better and better as the evening progresses but at the moment it may be gone before the last rays of sun disappear on the horizon, highly recommended for now and the future. — 7 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.2

Liquid chocolate covered dark cherries in the glass. A beautiful Howell Mountain Cabernet with lots of depth and structure. The fruit comes thru front and center but the acidity is fantastic. The tannins are there but are very silky. Remember this is a very young wine. It has enough structure to age for a long time if you don't like drinking really good wine this decade. A very consistent winery and a great wine. — 8 years ago

with Lisa

Ron R

9.2

Lots of discussion about chards today, got us all twisted up in the game.
Nose is muted and isn't offering up much, besides caramel. Palette is restrained and somewhat delicate. Nice acidity and tension on the mid-palette. Clean, fresh citrus fruits finish delicately sweet. Minerality presents as granite. If this wine comes into contact with oak, it's not perceptible. Strong showing, however, the 13 vintage is a touch better. — 9 years ago

with Anne-marie

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

It has been a long week of meetings and job visits, so I am treating myself to a Loire beauty a Loire Valley Chinon. At first opening a bit pungent, but I like that with lots of good aromas. I am getting big notes of black currant, rasperry, violets and graphite. On the palate the raspberry comes through with plum and the typical vegetal notes, bell pepper. There is also earthy components, medium acidity, medium tannins with a long dying finish. Very nice and I like it. — 10 years ago

David Mason

Sommelier/Wine Director Inn at Palmetto Bluff

9.4

Starts off with typical barnyard funk blows off and fruit comes out sour cherry great acidity — 12 years ago