WTN: Pontetficating

[Jenise]

Two wines with Christmas dinner:

1999 Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Disappointingly shallow and shrill for a PC, even from a so-so year. Other bottles have been better, but this is the first one we've opend in 18 months or so. Will hide the last two hoping for a little rebirth.

2001 Château Monbousquet
Black plum, cassis, subtle barnyard; drinks beautifully off the bat. Impressively full bodied, giving and harmonious for the vintage--an absolute delight that exceeds expectations considering everything I've read about post-Parse Monbousquets.

2001 Monbousquet is one of my most regretted purchases. First couple bottles were too modern but drinkable. Next couple were all char, all the time. I've given away several (charity auctions, I usually donate dinner sets with decent points), but have 2-3 left. I should try again, and if I don't like, donate remainder to Jenise.

[Jenise]

2001 Monbousquet is one of my most regretted purchases. First couple bottles were too modern but drinkable. Next couple were all char, all the time. I've given away several (charity auctions, I usually donate dinner sets with decent points), but have 2-3 left. I should try again, and if I don't like, donate remainder to Jenise.

Ha! No noticeable char on ours--and I hate char--or were we just too grateful for some fruit after the parched PC?

.

Jenise,
There is hope for your remaining two bottles of Pontet Canet!
I had selected this wine to accompany a light dinner of veal scallopine with carrot and zucchini "fettucine", before I noticed that you had posted a note.
The wine was exactly as I had hoped. Typical Bordeaux nose with a hint of cedar, followed by a medium-weight palate showing cassis and a hint of green Cab Franc. Nicely balanced fruit and acid. Not particularly long finish but not a sharp cut-off. My thinking is that it will not improve, so should be drunk in the near future.
We have one more which has been promoted to drink this year.

[Jenise]

David, thanks so much for chiming in--it is a relief to look forward to better from my last two bottles. They are the only 99's I have left, unless I have a bottle or so of Leoville Barton I've forgotten about.