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. — 2 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.5

Give me a TBA over this any day, but I can't deny that the 95' d'Yquem was excellent. G says it's a wine of love ❤️ True. The groups fondness for it aside, the wine is sort of what love is - strong, sweet, a little bitter sometimes, always unfolding to reveal something new, and most importantly neverending. 95' gets 95! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

First of all Kudos to Ant Hill love the wax seal over cork! Deep Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, floral and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry, tea, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Firm fine tannins on a long finish ending with fruit and floral herb character. Very nice! Will age well! — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Just love this wine. Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and citrus scents. On the palate ripe apricot and peach flavors with honey lemon zest. Well balanced with pleasant acidity, finishing with mineral, honey and wet stone nuances on the medium ending. Very nice! Should improve over the next few years. Nice value! — 2 years ago

Mike Holzer

9.2

Supposed to be a Brasil copa champion wine but not their night. Wine way better than the game. Unlike Brazil tonite this wine is well integrated and smooth. Big nose black fruit dominate. Black berries. Leather. Big mouthfeel. Vanilla but oak not over the top. Love it. Smooth tannins. Dark fruit . Figs. Prefer over their touriga. At least I think I do. Should do head to head tasting. Great wine, shitty game. — 5 years ago

with Ania

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The days when non Special Select Caymus was truly Caymus Classic.

The nose reveals, baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender.

The body is; thick, round, rich, ruby & lush. The tannins are round, sweet tarry, chewy and just starting the growth of adolescent teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a near perfect place. This 08 has another 7-10 years left depending on how you like them and store wine. Baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries, raspberries on the long open & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices with deep palate heat, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, dry & fresh herbs. leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, light peppery notes, grilled meats, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round, nicely executed & holds the ABV of the last decade nicely. The very long finish is; round, elegant, ruby, ripe fruits that are well balanced fruit & earth, polish for days and sunsets in dusty tannins with a deep spice end which, is why I love Caymus Classic so much.

This is my 2nd to my last bottle of Caymus Classic (😔) unless I go search for more. Just misses 94.

Note: My definition of Caymus Classic is defined by vintages up to 2011. After the 2011 vintage, they changed the style of the wine with longer fruit hang time which, translated to more sugar in the grapes & a much sweeter wine.

Photos of; Caymus tasting bar/room, Owner- Chuck Wagner, the winery & photo signage and their garden tunnel at their tasting room. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Love these “Blue Boys.” Mollydooker (Aussie for left-hander) Wines was established in 2005 by Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Dark Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas adding sweet spice and cedar. On the palate this wine has complex flavors of blackberry and blueberry with licorice, cacao, oak and vanilla. Fine dusty tannins, peasant mouthfeel (16% Alcohol), full-bodied, long ending with a nice spicy finish. Aging well, good now, has room to run over short term. — 2 years ago

Ben Lehman

9.2

This is a really good vintage for the SP68. Reminds me of why I fell in love with this wine over a decade ago. The aromatics alone just made me smile — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Fall is here and it’s the season I love to drink port. Dow, producing Ports for over 2 centuries. One of the first to establish its own vineyards, acquiring Senhora da Ribeira, in the remote Upper Douro, in 1890 & Bomfim, in the heart of Alto Douro, in 1896. Aromas of ripe fruits, fragrant spices and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of candied apple and jammy blackberries with cacao and honey. Firm dusty tannins, good balance, long finish. Perfect now. — 4 years ago

Keith Eddleman

9.7

Black fruit mild oak soft tannins this is a delicious Napa Cab! Love GV — 6 years ago

with Jill