The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.
I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.
The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.
Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.
Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.
@EK148 — 8 months ago
A little tart but good — 3 years ago
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. — 7 years ago
Nice wine for the price. Bought at Trader Joe’s. — 8 years ago
A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.
Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.
The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.
This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.
Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap. — a month ago
I am re-coravining this 07. The 2007 vintage is generally compared to 97. I would say 07 is slightly better than 97.
I am honest, sometimes to a fault. This is absolutely the most underrated Cabernet producer in Napa Valley, bar none. A TRB made wine since 97.
The nose reveals ripe & lush; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, just a whiff of boysenberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries on the edges of the glass. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, touch of butterscotch, understated herb blend, some grey clay, dry top soil, light graphite, very used leather, light fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets.
The palate is heavily magical. The tannins round, velvety & still meaty. Ruby & lush nicely evolved fruits that are; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries hints of boysenberries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate extract & hovering, creamy raspberries. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, tarriness, dark roasted expresso, anise to black licorice, cinnamon stick, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark spice w/ some palate heat, touch of toffee w/ nuts, understated fresh herb blend, lightly grilled meats, some grey clay/volcanics, dark, rich, sweet earth, dry top soil, nice graphite tones, very used leather, fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets, excellent round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that glides from beautiful fruits to spice & gentle earth and last nearly two-minutes. Glorious & stunning the character & depth of this wine!
Jones Family wines only shine this bright with 15 years plus in bottle.
This one has another 3-5 yrs before it starts its slow decent. — a year ago


Dark fruit, cherries, anise, and tobacco on the nose. Very dry wine. Dried fig, vanilla, more dark fruits, more cherry, and chocolate. Long finish of leather and oak. Drink now. Decant for an hour. — 6 years ago
Love this Merlot! — 8 years ago
Everything I love about Syrah, but a bit softer and fruitier — 5 months ago
Decent cab, actually surprisingly good for Yolo county. — 6 months ago
This is a delicious full bodied red blend! Incredible flavor, and pears very well with steak! I will definitely buy this again and again!  — 7 months ago
A blend of Semillon and Chenin Blanc grapes, aromatic with minerality and a rich finish. The bouquet is stronger than the aromas of the fruits on the nose. — 9 months ago
This is really good. Will buy again — 2 years ago
Wine access — 4 years ago
Intriguing & unique Cab. Spicy red fruit in the nose & through the palate. This yields some smoky/spicy notes on the mid palate & through the finish. Plenty of tannic structure persisting here. Under appreciated producer outside of Washington. Very nice bottle of Cabernet. — 6 years ago
Very good value — 7 years ago
"Odedi"
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Red fruits on the nose with earth, spices, chocolate notes and herbs.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, red currants, earth, light wood, spices, espresso, herbs, green vegetables and peppercorn.
Short finish with grippy tannins and tart cranberries.
This is an interesting take on a Chianti from Alexander Valley. Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but a good food wine right now.
Showing nice complexity, but still a little grippy, once it opens up.
Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years and see how it evolves.
Will pair nicely with Pizza, or with Pasta with red sauce.
A field blend of Sangiovese with a touch of Canaiolo Nero, Malvasia, and Trebbiano. Aged in used French oak barrels for 17 months. A tiny production of only 1,300 bottles.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$85. — 14 days ago