1987 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
‘Poor 1987, it must be tough to be the black sheep of the decade! January was freezing cold through March which delayed bud break. April was warm which got growth started again. May was fine but a storm ravaged the vineyards on 7 June disrupting flowering and causing coulure. June was rainy. July and August were hot and peppered by storms. An Indian summer led to picking around 1st October but coincided with downpours, so grapes suffered from dilution.’ Deep-flavoured and exciting. Racy and mineral. Lively, pure and fresh. Sleek. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1987 Vieux Château Certan was a vintage affected by poor flowering due to a storm on June 7 and downpours during the October harvest. It has a decent nose with sous-bois and cigar box aromas, but it is a little in the way of fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with simple black fruit. It is a little short on the finish, but really, this has nothing to be ashamed of, given the trials and tribulations of the growing season. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove.
The intense herbaceousness exhibited by this wine from the cask has now calmed down. The result is a flattering, cedary, black currant-and-herb-scented wine, with good depth, some light tannins, and a plump, satisfying finish. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 4/91.
The intense herbaceousness exhibited by this wine from the cask has now calmed down. The result is a flattering, cedary, black currant-and-herb-scented wine, with good depth, some light tannins, and a plump, satisfying finish. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 4/91. Jan 1998, www.robertparker.com
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.