Pontet Canet

Vivid ruby. Very ripe scents of dark plum, graphite and leather and a strong note of underbrush on the initially reduced nose. Fleshy and smooth on entry, showing hefty, slightly warm, ripe dark fruit and licorice flavors, but turns austere on the long back end, finishing with tight tannins and a metallic edge. Really not much fun presently, and very different from what I remember at the Primeurs: I imagine the sample I tried most recently was in the process of shutting down. I wouldn't pull the cork on this for at least another four or five years.