The 1996 Château Pontet-Canet is a beautifully matured and classically styled Pauillac from a landmark Left Bank vintage. In the mid-1990s, Pontet-Canet was already gaining momentum toward the excellence it would later achieve, and 1996 stands among the finest wines of the estate’s pre-biodynamic era. It is a vintage that emphasises purity, structure and the unmistakable graphite-driven character of great Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Pauillac’s deep gravel soils.
The 1996 season was exceptional for Cabernet Sauvignon: a warm, dry summer followed by cool nights and a long, steady ripening window. These conditions delivered small, thick-skinned berries with superb tannin maturity and intense varietal expression — the foundation for long-lived, classically proportioned wines.
Now fully entering its mature phase, the 1996 Pontet-Canet opens with refined aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco leaf and graphite. Secondary notes of leather, earthy spice, dried violets, cigar box and forest floor begin to emerge, reflecting more than 25 years of graceful evolution. Subtle hints of mocha, dried herbs and balsamic nuance add depth and complexity.
On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, elegant and firmly structured. The tannins, once robust in youth, have softened into a fine, integrated frame. Flavours of cassis, plum skin, black tea, cedar and savoury earth unfold gradually, supported by a fresh line of acidity characteristic of the vintage. The finish is long, persistent and classically Pauillac, leaving impressions of graphite, spice and mature black fruit.
The 1996 Château Pontet-Canet remains a benchmark for lovers of traditional Left Bank Cabernet — refined, balanced and built on purity rather than sheer power. Properly stored bottles continue to drink beautifully today, with potential to evolve further over the next decade.
Region: Pauillac, Bordeaux
Classification: 5ème Grand Cru Classé
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant with Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot
Alcohol: ~12.5–13%
Drinking Window: Now – 2035
A superbly mature, elegant and classically structured Pauillac from an outstanding Cabernet vintage — a fine choice for collectors of traditional Bordeaux.
