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Pontet Canet mini Vertical
Tasted June 22, 2013 by startinoz with 466 views
Introduction
Just wanted to see how a well regarded Right Bank Bordeaux ages over the decades.
Flight 1 (3 notes)
Red
2001 Château Pontet-Canet
93 points
Quite closed nose. Varietal fruit clearly still present on the palate andhas some secondary note (cigarbox, graphite, etc.) It's underlying power plus plenty of tannins and acidity suggest it can be (and would be best if) cellared for another 5-10 years. A reasonable example of its kind. 93++
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Comment
Red
1998 Château Pontet-Canet
93 points
Nose a bit closed: some tomato, leaf and graphite. Still has some fruit left, but seconary notes are starting to dominate. Cigarbox and taninns build on the medium, warm finish. It's starting to lose its power. Will age further for 5+ years, but it's never destined to be a star performer. 93 points.
Red
1988 Château Pontet-Canet
95 points
Mostly tomato and its leaf on the inviting nose. The medium bodied palate features a complex array of elements: sweet, gently grilled tomato, tomato leaf, blackcurrant leaf, cigarbox, graphite, cloves and even a little fino sherry (wine does slowly oxidise as it ages afterall!) No fruit, though, but that's not an issue when you have so many non-fruit flavours in perfect balance. Tannins and acidity are still present, albeit in the background. This wine could, quite possibly, live for ever. Elegant with subtle power. Lovely.
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Comment
Closing
A nice, informative tasting. The 1988 the clear standout wine for me - complexity, elegance and subtle power. The 2001, although still on the young side, seems to have a brighter future than the fading '98.
Australian Perspective:
Interestingly, these wines reminded me strongly of Old School Yarra Valley cabernet blends, such as Yarra Yering, Yeringberg, Mount Mary, Stefani, etc. The YV is, justifiably, renowned for making some of the best chardonnay and pinot noir outside of Burgundy as well as great 'syrah', but its Bordeaux varietal blends are often overlooked and deserve more attention.