Pontet Canet 1997

This wine, which had performed well from cask (particularly for the vintage), was severe, tannic, gritty, and attenuated on two of the three occasions it was tasted from bottle. I have lowered the score and added a question mark because the wine lacks the color saturation of the barrel samples, exhibits more herbaceousness, and the tannin is astringent. Perhaps it is going through an awkward stage of development, but right now I am less enthusiastic. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2010.