1947 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
‘1947 is regarded as the vintage that proves that great, age worthy wines could be produced in a very hot year. There was a very cold winter until March when the weather turned warm and wet. In May the weather turned warm and there was hail damage in Pomerol at the end of the month. The summer was hot and dry with heat peaks reaching 39 °C, occasionally punctuated by rain. Harvest began around 15 September.’ Etikhove stock. Transparent ruby. Smells fully mature though, amazingly, it doesn’t taste it! Beautifully, seamlessly complete. Lots of impact and pizzazz and a hint of mint. Positively showing off in the glass. Just masses of concentration yet poise too. Tingles on the palate. Real energy here. Mouth-filling. Just a little more tannin than the 1945. Cool and gorgeous. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
This is my third bottle of 1947 Vieux Château Certan in ten months, and maybe the best. It was picked from September 15 and less immediate than the preceding 1945 VCC. It is atypical for a 1947 insofar that there is less VA and less exoticism compared to its peers. Then, this begins to unfold: kirsch and Provençal herbs, black truffle and thyme, eventually revealing a true kaleidoscope of scents that floors the olfactory senses. The palate has perhaps more backbone than the 1945, with a little more grip. Dark cherry fruit, black olive compote, cracked black pepper with that pixelated finish that feels timeless. Stunning. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove.
Magnum. This, another offering from the Thienpont family, was the star of the evening. Absolutely superb: a great remnant of a great vintage (on the right bank) still in robust health. Irreproachable provenance. Very deep, dark ruby. Extremely intense nose – full on and so amazingly rich. Whistle-clean and lusciously fruity. So rich and complete. Amazing to think this is 70-year-old wine. Beautifully sweet but with great balance and velvety texture. Look at my suggested drinking window. (JR)
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.