2019 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
78 % Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon brings complexity. ‘ Everything contributed to the success of the vintage. A sufficiently cool and rainy winter. A fresh and sunny spring. Throughout the summer, a gradual water deficit before veraison and dry, sunny weather with cool nights … Welcome light rain showers from 22 September allowed the vines to rehydrate and complete the full grape ripeness.’ Harvest began 23 September. Deep blackish crimson. Very comfortably established and well-knit nose. Just a little bit of heat but great drama on the palate. Already the tannins are so smooth! With a mass of ripe cassis fruit. The Merlot signature is so mild. Toasty and long. Voluptuous. Sweet and glamorous. Beautiful texture. Sinewy. Long and confident. Very classic. Still a little hint of spicy oak on the very end. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Decanter
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 23 after light showers the previous day. "We dared to add some Cabernet Sauvignon in 2019, which gives complexity," Alexandre Thienpont remarks, "but the Cabernet was 'killed' in 2020." It has a much more discrete bouquet than the 2018, unfolding with truffle-tinged black fruit. There are fewer marmalade scents than I noticed a couple of years ago, but there is absolutely stunning delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, like a cousin of the superlative 2016 in many ways, but it may be silkier towards the finish. Elegant yet paradoxically intense, this is VCC at full flight. And it's only on its opening pages! Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium.
The 2019 Vieux-Château-Certan has a fabulous bouquet with stunning delineation, a complex array of red and black fruit, sous-bois , truffle and Seville orange marmalade. The palate is medium-bodied and very precise, with fine-grain tannins, a superb bead of acidity and a peacock's tail on the finish lingering long in the mouth. I knew this was an awesome Pomerol...but maybe not this awesome! Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Tasted blind. Blackish garnet. Compact, dense, dramatic fruit though without excessive dryness or oak. There is drama here and lots of satisfaction. Good balance. Very neat and distinctive. Nerve. (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.