2014 Château Pontet-Canet- France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (10/28/2019)
– decanted immediately before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over a couple hours –
NOSE: smoky oak; black cherry Twizzlers; raspberry reduction; hints of cumin and bitter orange peel.
BODY: superfine particulate matter present; dark garnet-violet color of great depth; medium bodied.
TASTE: dark, red fruits; intense florals; hint of ballpoint pen ink; not thick/heavy; tight; alcohol not noticeable; lightly tannic; Ash gut impression score: 92. Although this is approachable now, it struck me as somewhat reserved. Best to Hold.
Thanks, Brian. It looks like you’re on a 2014 kick lately. Really, it is one of my favorite Bordeaux vintages I have tasted yet. This is one I don’t have. I have a bunch of 2014 in the cellar, and I would like to try some more, but I am getting a bit squeamish, as between the ages of 5-10 can be tough on these wines. It sounds as if you think this one is in a no-try phase right now.
re: 2014 Bordeaux, you are not alone. I absolutely love the '14s. I cracked into this one because my local Costco has had them at $90 a pop, which struck me as a good deal; I’ve put at least a bottle in my cart on three separate occasions, and I finally decided it would be wise to actually try a bottle. As for drink or Hold right now: the only reason I’d recommend opening one now is to get a beat on it; I’m fully convinced now is the wrong time to open for drinking pleasure, simply because I believe the future holds far greater goods than does the present.