2003 Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet

[hotwine]

Decided to go ahead and try this to see if it's worth pursuing. Poured two hours before dinner. Not sure what I was expecting, a tannic monster maybe, but was really quite tame. Tannins are still there and needing further resolution, but this isn't a teeth-scraper of a wine at all. Lush fruit upfront, entry shrouded in chocolate and cedar, smooth across the palate and a nice long finish. 13% alc/vol and $18.59 per. Definitely worth further investment. With corn on the cob, steamed brocolli, garlic bread, and a ribeye that was grilled last night and warmed over tonight, finished with a Girardelli dark chocolate square. Sample again in 2-3.