Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Very nice Pomerol in this so-so vintage!
Cherries, pomegranate, brown spices and freshly cut herbs. Although the tannines still are slightly coarse, IMO, this is drinking very nicely now. — 11 days ago

John Pavlovich

9.6

Deeper, richer, more dense than the previous one, more powerful and complex, the wine for hedonists. Not a wimpy wine. Just entering its plateau of maturity, but a wonderful wine to drink. Again, wait a couple more years before opening the next one. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At the Pomerol Dinner we then had 3 vintages of Chateau Hosanna starting with the 1999. 70% Merlot 30% Cabernet Franc. Only 4.5 hectares with some famous neighbours - Lafleur to the north; Petrus to the east; La Fleur-Petrus to the west; and Vieux Chateau Certan to the south. This 1999 was the first vintage made under the Hosanna name. Earthy with a touch of wet nappy. On the palate plump and round with supple tannins. — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.5

The 2014 L’Eglise-Clinet has a gentle, understated bouquet at first that takes time to open, eventually offering black fruit, melted tar, truffle and bay leaf aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, rather masculine and thickset at the moment, lightly spiced towards the finish. Much like the Vieux-Château-Certan, this is a little awkward in a blind setting however, it clearly meliorates in the glass and I keep on having to up my score. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2018) — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.5

The 2005 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 12 after cool nights had led to a slow accretion of concentration. "There was a lot of drought in 2005," Alexandre Thienpont recalls, "and it was a season a bit like 1982." This has a winsome bouquet, more powerful than the preceding 2004, as you would expect, laden with predominantly red fruit laced with anise and wilted rose petals. Impressive delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins, fresh and sapid in style, more open than the bottle tasted four years earlier. It veers towards a more savory finish. Subtle, ferrous, almost meaty notes lend complexity and typicité. Persistent on the aftertaste, this is a VCC that is just getting going. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— 4 months ago

Fredybeans

9.6

Robe vieille or
Nez sur l orange la vanille bourbon un côté pâtissier puis devient plus généreux avec l air
Bouche plein et précise avec de la tension en attaque milieu de bouche ultra large et finale longue sur la vanille des notes de vieux rhum et l orangette
Très beau vin semblant a maturité mais dont l’an phase de plateau ne fait que debuter
— 5 years ago

with Pico and El

Bret Barker

9.1

Second time trying this wine, this time much better. Deep purple with soft tannins, black fruit but much more that barnyard earthy undertone. Made the 02 vieux certan seem down right fruity. — 7 years ago

Will Stanley

9.6

The 2007 Vieux Telegraphe, enjoyed here from half bottle, encapsulates everything so wonderful about Chateauneuf-du-Pape, coming from very old vines on the fabled plateau of La Crau. Pungent aromatics; an ethereal cacophony of sweet cranberry, blackcurrant, strawberry, liquorice, blood orange, white pepper and garrigue (in spades), with airy elegance and poise. The palate follows in much the same style, graceful and welcoming, adding flecks of sweet vanilla. There is, however, a core of iron and solid structure that ties everything together. This is accomplished stuff, even in such a brilliant vintage as 2007, and this elegant, complex CNdP warrants a high score – and further ageing. — 4 months ago

David White

9.2

New Tasmanian Pinot from owners Chateau Vieux Certan which is very refined, a little light, but with wonderful finesse and perfumed nuances.
Good finish and aftertaste. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Not giving as much as I expected - probably its youth. A touch of H2S. Cellar it. The blend is usually 70% Merlot; 25% Cabernet Franc; and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Situated on Pomerols prized central plateau. Soils being composed of a blend of clay and gravel. — 6 years ago