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. — 21 days ago

Paul J

9.7

1hr+ decant. Lovely dark red/purple color. Still has years left in it. Blue fruit with cedar and car exhaust (in a good way!). Well integrated as only Paul can do. So definitive I could guess this blind every time. Love it! Medium plus depth and finish. Would love to try this side by side with Pontet Canet. This rocks!! — a year ago

with Brooke

Paul K

9.4

Bottle #2 from case and it has gained some structure and opened a bit in the last 1.5 years. Nose is great, reminds me a lot of last nights Pontet Canet on nose. Hint of tobacco, pencil leaf, red fruits currant, kirsch, and red berries. Great mouthfeel, great balance, and good structure. Looking forward to another in 2 years if I can wait! — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Ist time trying this from the owners of Pontet Canet. Well made with everything in place showing good balance. Everyone seemed to enjoy it — 5 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

So young and vivid and fresh….
Served single blind….; I thought this could be the Pontet Canet 2009…. 😱 — 8 months ago

David Valenti

9.0

Caramel, spices, rich and juicy black and red berries. Round and warm palate. Amazing. — 2 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Aroma good. Aged, liquor like.
Château Grand-Pontet Saint-Emilion 16 @8360, Pieroth, 251117 — 3 months ago

Thomas Ryan

9.2

2000 for daughters birthday decanted, wonderful immediately and grew better over time sitting in the decanter. Only one bottle left in cellar after this one. — 4 months ago

Paul J

9.7

This rocked! Refined yet complex. 1hr+ decant. Dark red color. Dark, sweet cherries on the nose. On the palate it reminded me of Pontet Canet and Gargiulo. Fairly big, deep wine. Ample sweetness = dessert in a glass! — 6 months ago

with Brooke

Bert Koninckx

9.0

Zacht van smaak met droge afdronk. Lekker wijntje! — 3 years ago