88+ 2002 Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet 3/29/08 ($20)
13% alc
Color: Deep garnet, still looks a little young. (3.0) Bouquet: Cassis and some black ink with Pauillac terroir. Could be more dense, but has richness and perfume. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with very good tannin and excellent acidity. Could have a little more fruit, but sufficient. Very good for a second wine. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but a bit drier. (2.5) Finish: Parallels flavor with cassis and violets lingering. (3.0)
Overall: Lighter and more accessible than their first wine, as expected, but still shows high quality and excellent structure. It's a very good second wine, particularly considering the price and vintage. It could improve in the next 1-3 years, but some chalky acidity and bitter tannin in the finish with just enough fruit to meet warrant caution. It's a little lean and mean at this point, so decant an hour or so for now drinking. (14.5)