The winner of the first “Pick My Next Bottle” installment was the 1995 Pontet-Canet. The winery is located in Pauillac, and is designated a 5th growth as determined by the classification of 1855.
1995 is widely considered a classic vintage that produced big, structured, long lived wines. The Pontet-Canet was no exception. I decanted the wine for 90 minutes, but in retrospect 3 hours may have been more appropriate.
The wine itself is still a baby. Layers of graphite, cassis, tobacco, cigar box, anise, leather and cherries wash across the palate. The finish is long and sweet. There is still a wall of tannins on this wine but the fruit is there in spades as well. This wine should age effortlessly for another decade.
The 95 vintage is beginning to remind me of the 86 vintage. Big, structured, tannic wines that just need a ton of bottle age to show their stuff.
Current vintages of Pontet-Canet including 05, 06, 08 and 09 are highly recommended.
My rating: 93 points.
Your tasting note is “spot on,” Tom. I tried the 95 Pontet- Canet about two years ago and my conclusions at that time are exactly the same as the conclusions you reach in your blog post. Moreover, I rated the wine 92+, so our scales for rating Bordeaux are almost identical, at least as far as Pontet-Canet goes.
Dear Wine Lovers,
I am going to drink my 1995 Pontet-Canet tonight. I have been told for old vintage wines, don’t decant for too long a time. So what about this 20 year old wine? how to handle please.
Thanks,
Virginia
I agree Virginia and likely would not decant for any longer than an hour. Let me know how you like it.