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. — 8 days ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.5

I got really lucky with this bottle. Extraordinary. — 4 months ago

Eric Hoepelman

9.0

@Kay Delectable blanc ;) — 6 months ago

Sam Friedland

9.2

Very nice wine, maybe needs a few more year. Integrated tannins. Little fruit. Went great with couscous and merguez. — 6 days ago

romo

9.0

Drink early. Hope 24 has more stuffing. — 2 months ago

romo

9.0

Called non-Austrian Gruner. Better than the 24, insane QPR. — 3 months ago

Some Dude

9.1

This was a hedonistic delight! Bursting with fruit, fresh and lovely. No need to overthink this one, just enjoy! — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vignobles Lacheteau – Pouilly-Fumé / 2024
Pouilly-Fumé AOC – Loire Valley / France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern Loire, grown on classic Pouilly-Fumé terroirs dominated by limestone and flint (silex). This style emphasizes tension, minerality, and restraint rather than overt fruit, showcasing the smoky, stony expression that defines the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Crisp lemon zest, grapefruit peel, green apple, and white peach, layered with flinty smoke, wet stone, and subtle herbal notes. The aromatic profile is precise and lifted, with restrained fruit framed by mineral depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with bright, linear acidity. Clean, focused, and energetic on the palate, finishing dry and refreshing with a saline-mineral edge and lingering citrus tension.

Food Pairings
Classic goat cheese (Crottin de Chavignol), oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, lemon-herb chicken, asparagus dishes, or light vegetable-forward plates.

Verdict
A textbook Pouilly-Fumé that delivers clarity, minerality, and balance. Not flashy or tropical, but elegant, terroir-driven, and highly versatile at the table.

Did You Know?
The “fumé” in Pouilly-Fumé refers to the smoky, flinty character derived from silex soils, not oak or smoke exposure, one of the Loire Valley’s most distinctive Sauvignon Blanc signatures.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is exactly the style of Sauvignon Blanc I gravitate toward: mineral-driven, restrained, and quietly complex. A refreshing counterpoint to overtly aromatic New World expressions, and a reminder of why Loire Sauvignon remains one of my benchmarks for elegance and precision. — a month ago

Zach D

9.3

Wow. Such a nice wine coming from humble origins. Needs some air to express itself. On the nose yellow lilies, apple blossom, almost a hint of jasmine, just ripe yellow apple, just ripe pear, a touch of fresh vanilla. On the palate, this really shines. Ripe orchard fruits, rich without being cloying. Blind I would place this as a village Meursault. Yellow apple, pear, touch almond, buttery and rich texture with minimal oak, crème brûlée; I’m assuming from skillful lees management . Good acidity, decent length. 13 abv. 24 usd at the grocery store. I haven’t seen ratings anywhere near where I’ve placed this, but maybe this is a product of a good vintage? Either way, huge fan — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2025 | My goodness this performs so much higher than the modest appellation; sophisticated smell with cedar and spices, very good structure and great taste. Paired with spaghetti carbonara. — 5 months ago