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. — 5 days ago

Paul J

9.5

This was awesome! PnP’d. Very balanced wine. Medium plus depth. Integrated dark blue and black fruit with oak, vanilla, and cedar. Somewhat similar to Pontet Canet. Lovely silky texture and medium plus finish. Exactly how Napa Cab should taste! — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.5

I got really lucky with this bottle. Extraordinary. — 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

Jan A

9.2

What better way to watch the Dutchies' opening game in Qatar with Canet Alternative. Owned by Dutch family Lemstra-blake, they have a small plot that yields just two barrels and results in an elegant mineral driven wine in the style of Burgundy — 3 years ago

Richard Alfred

9.1

At Le Montrachet dinner. — 4 years 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

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

J. Kim

9.1

The 2016 has rounder fatter fruit and less angular architecture than the 2010, and more intense structure than the 2015. The aroma is a classic old school Pauillac, black fruit, tobacco, cigar box and graphite, on top of leathery barnyard bass notes that one often finds in old Lynch Bages or Pontet Canet. More masculine than feminine with lack of vanilla and minty notes. No overripeness, over-oakiness, over-manipulation this year. Type IV Bordeaux in which the aromatic complexity and the structural intensity is well-matched. Less polish this year but the balance between the presence and the reserve is so well-judged. — 3 years ago

Paul J

9.5

Neal never stops impressing!!! Would have guessed Bordeaux all the way. 1hr+ decant. Nose of dark cherries, cedar, and menthol. Blue and black fruit on the palate with well integrated alcohol. Medium depth and medium plus finish. Reminds me of Chateau Pontet-Canet but 1/5 of the price. Neal rocks!! — 4 years ago

with Brooke