1955 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
Alexandre Thienpont’s birth year. ‘Broadbent calls this a good but underappreciated vintage. January very wet. Mid-February spring like. March cold and frosty. April warm. May cold; flowering in hot weather and then rain. Hot June. Perfect July. August hot and dry. Welcome rain in September. Perfect weather for harvest which started around 22 September.’ Deep crimson with a watery rim. Amazing colour! Rich and concentrated. Alexandre Thienpont said the last bottle he had was definitely in decline but this was fresh and vibrant. Tasted quite left bank. Cool and sleek. Long with lots of fruit. Shades of buttermint! (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Georges Thienpont eulogized his 1955 Vieux Château Certan, intimating in his notes that it was perhaps "one of the best wines in the Gironde." I won't begrudge him that statement even if it's not entirely true based on my experience. Light bricking on the rim, the bouquet is wonderful, with red fruit à la 1953, leather and just a light whiff of espresso and potpourri. Fine delineation. The palate is clean and precise. It's a classic mature Pomerol from tip to toe with hints of Morello cherries and strawberry intermixed with loam and, with time, a citric tincture. Returning after 20 minutes, there is an intriguing scent of Turkish Delight on the nose. Wonderful. 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.