2016 La Gravette de Certan
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2016 Gravette de Certan has a deep ruby colour, only just starting to fade at the rim. It has a real intensity on the nose – crunchy blackberry compote and plums with flashes of earthy minerality and a light savoury touch, hints of soy and Asian spices. There is plenty of acidity on the palate with a real punch of tannin and juicy, dark fruit – prickly sloes and boysenberries – with hints of mint and herbs. There is a plenty of length and the intensity persists on a lovely, sweet-fruited finish. The wine is starting to open up nicely but still needs some time to reach its peak. It will drink very well for a good decade and beyond.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Darker and denser than the 2015, the 2016 La Gravette de Certan reveals a similar profile yet has more obvious structure as well as full-bodied notes of smoked tobacco, black fruits, earth, and spice box. Deep, powerful, and shockingly good for a second wine, it’s well worth your time and money. Drink it over the coming 20+ years.
The 2016 La Gravette de Certan, the rarely seen second wine of Vieux Château Certan, comes from a selection of mainly young parcels (under 20 years of age). It has a pretty raspberry and blueberry bouquet that reveals hints of blood orange. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, quite masculine for the vintage and for a second wine. A little chalkiness percolates through the finish. While it might feel a bit gawky in its infancy, a couple of years in bottle will sort that out.
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.