

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. — 10 months ago
Fruity, bubbly/fuzzy, sweet. Always have it in hand — 4 years ago
Excelent for warm weathers. The chillest, the better. Sweet but not over indulging. Wonderful for paella or straight meat. Rib eye, new york, porterhouse. — 7 years ago
Nice, bubbly, very sweet. — 8 years ago
Great. Sweet but not too much. — 9 years ago
Great sweet wine — 10 years ago
Nice, dry and a little Sweet. Drank with sushi. — 11 years ago
celebration wine. super sweet and tasty. apricot and floral flavors. — 13 years ago
Decant and pour. On the nose: dark fruit, pencil shavings, green bell pepper, leather, mushrooms. Taste: a brooding, still austere, structured wine with dark fruit, cassis, smoked earth, cigar, minerals, crushed stone. Some pronounced tannins want you to give it more time for a better score in the future.
At Cote, Last Vegas — 6 months ago
Sweet light — 9 months ago
The 2013 Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos, aged for 20 months in oak barrels, has a perfumed, honeyed bouquet with mango and yellow plum. It doesn't quite have the complexity of the 2014. The palate is well balanced with a pure entry, a keen line of acidity, orange zest-tinged honeyed fruit and nougat and hazelnut notes on the finish. The palate has a tad more complexity than the aromatics, but overall, it is very fine, if not the long-term prospect of other vintages. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2024)
— 3 years ago
Very fruity but not sickly sweet. Goes well with a meal but just as pleasant by itself. Would definitely buy again — 6 years ago
It’s delicious and sweet — 7 years ago
Got this for our anniversary. It was amazing. — 8 years ago
Not very bubbly for an Asti & jus a tad on the sweeter side but would def buy it again — 9 years ago
Citrus, grapefruit, sweet but refreshing. — 12 years ago
Aroma of rich berries. Smooth and slightly sweet with a sour note. Very good. — 13 years ago
In perfect condition and drinking much more youthful than nearly 40 years!! Paired with grilled chicken thighs which went very well given the tannin structure has mostly receded. Acid still very much keeping things together and in check. Nice balance - still some good fruit, great earth, long finish. Hard to argue! — 6 months ago
I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.
I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.
Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.
In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.
I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.
The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.
This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.
M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.
94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer. — 8 months ago
Very sweet. Great for summer. — 3 years ago
One of my basic faves! Pretty sweet but tastes amazing with any sort of fresh fruit topped! — 6 years ago
Yummy, smooth, decently sweet flavor for wine with a fruity, acidic kick — 8 years ago
This is a very nice light resiling. I really enjoyed its delicate lime and peach flavors. Much lighter in flavor and less sweet than American. — 9 years ago
Super sweet — 10 years ago
Sweet, mild, refreshing, for any afternoon with young ones or a family gathering. — 11 years ago
This wine is inexpensive, kind of sweet, and good for unwinding. I was happily surprised! — 12 years ago
Drank at Farinas winery & cafe in grapevine TX — 14 years ago
Tom Garland
Double decant and pour(decent sediment). A remarkable still murky dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating perfumed notes of dark fruit, worn leather, smoked meat, touch of barnyard, tobacco leaf, mushrooms, mint. Taste: silky, fresh, regal, powerful wine with sweet red fruit, meaty, dried herbs, tobacco, mineral, and a earthy orange rind lingering finish with a slight tannic kick. Amazing!!! YUM! — 5 months ago