Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I’ve had a number of PC 96’s over time, none quite this good. The fill line & cork perfect. Very little sediment. Some bottle neck tannin burn. For me, Pontet Canet didn’t really hit its consistent, quality stride until 2005. Doesn’t mean they didn’t make a few beauties before then. Pontet Canet is proof that the 1855 Bordeaux Classification needs to be redone. Unlikely it will in my lifetime.

This 96 maybe just short of its precipice. Stylistically a little better than 94.

The nose reminds me of everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola. Sweet forest floor w/ leaves, sweet mushrooms, sweet led pencil shavings, steeped tea w/ hints of fruit, charcoal, dry tobacco/leather, some dry herbs, withering dark, red flowers, red roses with violets.

The palate is also everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola/red vines. Everything I understood the first time standing in the estate vineyard of Pichon Baron. Tasting limestone, dry river stone, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, dry stems. In fact, I’ve tasted vineyards soils everywhere I have been in every world wine region. Basically, everywhere in the wine world that has reliance. Many multiple times. Sweet graphite, steeped tea w/ hints of dark fruit, understated, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanillin, dark cocoa, dark exotic spices, some anise to black licorice, charcoal, dry tobacco with ash/leather, some dry herbs-safe/bay leaf, limestone, dry river stone, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, earth with dry leaves, dry topsoils, dry stems, withering/dry dark, red flowers, red roses with violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with an extremely well balanced/structured/tensioned, great length and an elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls nicely on dry earth and dark spices.

A very, very slow roll with my Ribcap. Definitely better with the steak than on its own.

This bottle tells me this 96 has plenty of good drinking ahead, another 8-10 yrs+.

ABV is 13%. Disappointing it ever changed. — 4 months ago

Michelle Beer

9.0

More residual sugar than I remembered. Brioche finish, delicate bubbles — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale straw color with green edges and aromas of citrus and tropical fruits adding floral herb notes. On the palate apricot, peach and pineapple with lemon zest, classic New Zealand SB. Lively acidity and spice complement this wine, well balanced ending on medium finish. — 8 months ago

Ki Punwar

Owner, California Wine Republic

9.3

Earthy and lots of oak present, but still very robust and full bodied, beautiful aromas of pine needles and forest floor-love that — 8 months ago

joy horn

9.2

Bought from winery 4/25 $51. Another great Pinot from PG. A little tart at first but mellowed once aired. Very smooth. — 10 months ago

Caitlin

9.3

Delicious perfect for shrimp scampi — 5 years ago

Gene Buonviri

9.0

Dark cherry red with flavors of raspberry and cherry, followed by hints of pepper and bay leaf. If you have been seeking total calm and satisfaction.... stop looking for it doesn’t exist... however this wine will definitely make you believe you have found it.... great pairing with roasted chicken, asparagus and fresh spring salad. — 5 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.2

Stainless Steel Sleek and pure. — 5 months ago

Tommy

8.9

Still has a great punch after all this time. Smooth and a little spicy. Loved it. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

2 hour decant. A marvelous medium garnet color (decent fine sediment). On the nose: dark berries, cassis, forest floor, sandalwood, pencil shavings, chocolate, and cigar box. Taste: layered, balanced, still young wine with dark cherry/plum, cedar, dark chocolate, charcoal, and a lingering tobacco/leather finish. YUM! No hurry, a long distance Las Cases. — 5 months ago

with Brenda

Ed Chin

9.4

The initial taste had me as it was so delicate with the red fruit that seemed to gain strength in my mouth. The green note is there but only really as an accent on the finish. CF from Loire Valley is under appreciated. — 6 months ago

Rodney Miller

9.4

Surprisingly dark at the edges with a lovely bouquet. Spice and dark fruits; primarily blackberry. Medium finish. It seems to have some life left — 9 months ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Excellent porch wine to watch the sunset!! — 2 years ago

Devin Bostick

9.0

Tarragon, cherry smell, magenta, acid, sorrel, grass, cranberry, cherry — 5 years ago

Jonathan Warren

9.3

15 year old Chablis? Yes please. I was shocked at how fresh this still was. Only a hint of honey and a slightly darker color than I would have expected the current vintage to be. With that said the honey was there with some soft apple and minerality for days. This was a great wine with dinner. — 5 months ago

Mark S.

9.1

Lemon yellow with green Chalk. Citrus peach. Mango. Pineapple. Vanilla. Rich. Buttery. Herb. Honeysuckle. From cool. Without MLF Elegant. From Calistoga.
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M+ Acidity M++ Bitterness M+ Body M Finish M 13.8%
Fresh Dry Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 22 @17600, AD, 251210 — 5 months ago

Rob N

9.5

Always a treat. Green apple. Better flavor than Cristal but Cristal has better mouth feel. — 6 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium ruby , quite light garnet rim . Lightly herbal on the nose , with grafite , cool cassis , some redcurrant , red plum and violet . On the palate quite spicy and more red fruited , red currant , light cassis , red plum , grafite and tobacco touches . Fresh acidity and medium grippy tannin , with a grafite , cool redcurrant , light cassis finish of reasonable length . Quite light in style , a little green , rustic but refreshing and enjoyable. Don’t see this being particularly long lived but drink from now and over the next 10 plus years . — 6 months ago

Anton Siochi

9.5

Great example of Irish whiskey, mellow yet flavourful. Almost a syrupy mouthfeel, candy, a wee bite at the finish — 9 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

So delish! Beautiful and holding strong with notes of blackberry, black currant, clove, star anise, licorice, dried orange peel, black olive, potpourri, tobacco, leather, earth, cured meat, pencil shavings, graphite, spice box, forest floor. Complex and balanced with a long, elegant finish. — a year ago

with Deked1