1988 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
Alexandre Thienpont described the yield of 50 hl/ha as ‘too generous’. ‘The weather was warm through to May but very wet in the latter two months. Flowering at the beginning of June went better than expected between the showers. From July to September, high pressure brought stable, warm weather. Dodging storms, the grapes were picked at the end of September. The blend was 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.’ From magnum. Deep crimson. Lots of acidity. Still amazingly youthful and vibrant. Very clean and so refreshing it was almost like a mouthwash. Cool as a mountain stream. But I think it was probably quite tough in the beginning. (JR)
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The 1988 Vieux Château Certan comes from magnum, and it was a year when Alexandre Thienpont hailed the quality of the Cabernet Franc. It has an attractive bouquet of mulberry, blackberry and a discrete touch of aniseed. With moderate complexity and, like many from this vintage, it has a sense of freshness and classicism. The palate is well-balanced with bitter cherry and crunchy tannins, missing a little length, but I appreciate the slightly austere yet transparent finish. Against my expectations, I find this more pleasurable than the following vintage. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove.
Unfortunately, the 1988 Vieux Château Certan was corked on this occasion. Tasted at the 1988 Bordeaux dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair.
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.