1942 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
‘A very long, cold winter followed by a warm and dry spring and summer. Fine weather prevailed during a successful flowering. A mixture of warm temperatures and ample rain, led to an outbreak of oidium which reduced the crop by one third. Harvest began on 19 September and had to be finished rapidly before the weather deteriorated. The crop was judged light and pleasant but most of the vintage was not bottled until the end of the war.’ Magnum. Thienpont-raised and bottled. Sent in barrel from Bordeaux, perhaps to the station next to Etikhove. Very dark, shaded blackish ruby. Really very seductive and complex on the nose. And very much like a continuation of the 1940 but with more fruit. Very successful. Perhaps a cooler cellar has helped preserve the fruit. A triumph! Especially for a wartime wine. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1942 Vieux Château Certan comes from a magnum that was bottled at Thienpont in Belgium. This was picked from September 19. It is surprisingly deep in color with thin bricking on the rim. Quite perfumed aromatically, it offers enticing aniseed-tinged red fruit, fleshy and forward. It is actually not dissimilar to the bottle in London, where Alexandre Thienpont doubted its authenticity! The palate is medium-bodied with a fine grip and much more fruit than expected, conveying presence and structure. Orange rind and black fruit define the finish with more aftertaste than the 1943 tasted alongside. A victorious war veteran! Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove.
About the producer
The original Château at Vieux Château Certan dates back to around 1770 but the modern history of the estate begins in 1924 - the year that Belgian wine merchant Georges Thienpont purchased the property.