1999 Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac) Bordeaux - France
Availability: Limited. Private wine stores special order
Cost: Average $89 USD as per Wine-Searcher.com
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 9th, 2012
Tasting Notes: The unheralded 1999 vintage was not a darling with critics yet in the form of this gorgeous and expressive claret, the vintage is showing it can produce some excellent wines with mid-range longevity. A "Fifth Growth" rated Château from the 1855 classification, Pontet-Canet has begun to eclipse most of the higher classed producers on the Left Bank becoming a true "Super Second" to the famed "First Growths" like Mouton-Rothschild, its immediate neighbour to the north. The vineyard boasts 200 acres of prime, well-drained gravelly soil Pauillac real estate where the average age of the vines is 40 to 45 years old.
A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the Pontet-Canet has evolved beautifully over the past 13 years, developing a lovely bouquet and managing to maintain a good balance of acid, fruit and tannin. An elegant presentation of pure fruit with good continuity from the seductive nose through to the dry, dense palate offering notes of blackberry, black cherry, asparagus, dark chocolate, almond butter, and savoury characters like graphite, toasted oak and smoke. Close to peaking but still has another 4-5 years of excellent drinking. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012
