94 1995 Chateau Pontet-Canet 11/6/04 ($40)
Color: Deep black-garnet. (3.5) Bouquet: Sweet black ink and rich cassis fruit with a touch of briar. (4.0) Body: Excellent balance of terroir-to–fruit-to-tannin/acidity. Light heavyweight. (3.0) Flavor: Cassis and burnt caramel with some tannic dryness. (3.0) Finish: Rich, smooth tannins with a little dryness, but fine cassis fruit still meeting it. Long, with terroir lingering. (3.0)
Overall: Fantastic for the appellation and a classic example of Pauillac that just misses greatness. Better than the Lynch-Bages from this vintage. Just starting to peak, but delicious and complex with light heavyweight power. Ink and cassis! I wish I had bought more.