Jeroen Koenen

9.4

After 2 years of cellartime, this still shows wonderfully bright and fresh. Floral scents, crème de cassis, touch of peppery spice.
Great drinking right now, and through the next decade. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2019 vintage. This estate is on a roll, and this 2019 is absolutely stunning. Deep dark red. Impressive nose with ripe black cherries, blackberries, cassis, flowers, cedar wood, and lead pencil. Very elegant but powerful at the same time, with layers of black fruit, a velvety tannic structure, fresh acidity, and some salinity in the very long finish. Abv. 14%. Excellent. — 2 years ago

Michael Drapkin

8.9

Fine bubbles. Medium Bodied. Pink Friut. Fermentation notes—toast, butter, tootsie roll. Mouth filling smoothly textured. Spicy. Smokey. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This rich, golden, sweet wine smells like honey and dried apricots. There's a layer of earthy minerals, a chalkiness, that beautifully counterpoints the sweetness. On the palate, a viscous mouthfeel carries marmalade-like fruit flavors along on a subtle wave of acidity. This is dessert on its own, but why limit such a wonderful wine? Have it with hard cheese, almonds or a lobster roll. — 6 years ago

CA Haynam

9.0

Another excellent Tobin James everyday wine. Aromas of fruit and berries, inky black, well balanced. Very nice — 7 years ago

Sam

8.9

Not bad. Light bodies, maroon translucency against light. Dried cherries with black pepper. Tannins roll off the tongue. Not bad. Would be great with a balsamic reduction sauce and steak. — 8 years ago

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. — 6 months ago

Daron Watson

9.2

dark brambly fruits, resin, fig, tootsie roll, tar, pine… — 4 years ago

Lindsay Evans

9.4

Smells and tastes like a tootsie roll. Also tried the Chocolat Almond which was the same with an almond extract after taste. Preferred the regular — 5 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

8.9

Solid Syrah, perfect pairing for the lamp we had for our fourth course. — 6 years ago

Kyle Eubank

9.2

Ruby's Red from Peach Creek Vineyards on College Station TX, is a delicious chocolate wine that tastes like a melted Tootsie roll. Perfect for desert! — 7 years ago

with Stacy

Dawn E.

9.2

Fabulous wine..Cherry Liqueur...Tootsie Roll...Cedar...tea leaves! Rated previously...Happy to acquire another! Merry Christmas to All!!
Be Safe! — 8 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.7

I’m on a roll with Côte de Beaune reds lately! This 13’ Rugiens was absolutely incredible. Still brimming with youthful energy - it demanded patience, taking three hours to unfurl, but when it did, what unfolded was a wine of breathtaking purity, intensity, and drive. Dark cherries layered with musky florals and a whisper of spice mingled with a strikingly mineral core. It grew in stature across the palate, building to a finish that was both super long and fine, leaving a resonant, stony echo. Another profound lesson in weightless intensity! — 2 years ago

Ted

9.2

Same restaurant almost a year later. New vintage. Delicious. Ready to roll. — 2 years ago

with Jeni

Daron Watson

9.5

dark fruit, tobacco, cigar box, pencil shavings,

gobs of juicy fruit, bay leaf and bell pepper finish

over time fruit leans to roll ups, as well as including dried prunes and dates — 4 years ago

LM Segal

9.4

Bloody good, classically built Brunello. Ready to roll with a short decant. Shout out to #bouludmontreal for doing all they can to survive the 🧟‍♂️ apocalypse! Amazing next-level takeout. — 6 years ago

Dimes

8.9

Tbh good but idk how it’s a 9.5 — 6 years ago

Dawn E.

9.3

Absolutely delicious! Luscious black fruit..cassis...smoke... dark chocolate...tootsie roll...expresso...smooth tannins..balanced acidity! Ninety min decant...this wine will give you a big smile! 😁
QPR this is a steal...not wanting to take my nose out of the glass!! — 7 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.3

Stunning wine! Round with tannins that roll around and support rich dishes and cheese as well. My choice over their Temperanillo- which is really good. Production is quite small. Call the winery. — 8 years ago