CHATEAU PONTET-CANET 5eme Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 1996 Bottle

Description

The 1996 Château Pontet-Canet is a masterful example of aged Bordeaux, receiving 93 points from Vinous. This wine boasts a captivating nose filled with aromas of cedar, scorched earth, and mint, indicating its maturity while still revealing surprising fruit intensity for its age. On the palate, it showcases a balanced structure, with silky tannins and classic Pauillac traits, including hints of mint and cedar, culminating in a refined finish. Despite some suggestions that it may be past its peak, the wine has aged beautifully, demonstrating remarkable density and classicism. It is undoubtedly at its drinking plateau now, making it an excellent choice for immediate enjoyment. Savor it to the last drop for a delightful glimpse into the richness of this vintage.

*****

VINOUS 93 points
The second bottle, from an estate I know like the back of my hand, was the 1996 Pontet Canet. One or two people had suggested that this might be past its best; after all, it predates the innovations and application of biodynamics overseen by Alfred Tesseron by several years. On the contrary, it has aged beautifully. Cedar, scorched earth and mint blossomed on a nose that is firmly into its secondary phase, yet laden with more fruit than expected considering both its age and the austere style of Left Bank 1996s. The palate might be nearing the end of its drinking plateau, so don’t hold back if you own a few bottles. But I admired its balance and density, its structure and classicism, and the typical Pauillac traits of cedar and a touch of mint toward the finish. I savored it down to the last drop. - Neal Martin

THE WINE ADVOCATE 89 points
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Drink Date: 2016 - 2022
Tasted at the Pontet-Canet vertical in London, the 1996 Château Pontet-Canet was tasted from three different bottles. Two of them didn't pass muster and seemed a little bretty on the nose. A third was much better with mulberry, blackberry and cedar on the nose that still lacks the panache of more recent vintages. I noticed how meaty it became in the glass, slightly ferrous. The palate is medium-bodied and at 20 years fully mature. Cedar and dried herbs dominate the opening but unlike the 1982 Pontet-Canet there is decent substance here and a slightly medicinal finish. Hopefully your bottle will mirror the best of the three that I tasted. Good luck. Tasted February 2016.
Published: Oct 28, 2016

JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points
Very dark crimson. Very glossy. Lightly charred nose. Very sweet and relatively luscious for the vintage. Still firm in the Pontet-Canet mould. Ripe yet fresh. Dense. (JR)