1996 Château Pontet-Canet (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac)

This was the wine that jolted me out of my rut. It was a reminder of what great wine is all about. At age 14, this is now beginning to soften and show pretty fruit, graphite, and leather. Some chocolate and tons of black currant. Layers and layers of flavor. Really a phenomenal wine that will only get better.