Vieux Château Certan
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
Pomerol, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
The 1998 Vieux Château Certan saw both the Merlot and Cabernet reaching maturity early and, unusually, around the same time due to the Cabernet Franc suffering during the drought. Ergo, the blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvest was September 21 to 26 and cropped at 34hl/ha. The bouquet is far superior to the 1996, as you would expect, quite vivacious and sensual black cherry and raspberry fruit, touches of wild mint, though it becomes pretty Bretty in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, fresh and lively, with fine grip with a crunchy blackberry, tar and allspice finish. This might actually constitute the best bottle of the 1998 that I have tasted. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
The 1998 Vieux Château Certan saw both the Merlot and Cabernet reaching maturity early and, unusually, around the same time due to the Cabernet Franc suffering during the drought. Ergo, the blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvest was September 21 to 26 and cropped at 34hl/ha. The bouquet is far superior to the 1996, as you would expect, quite vivacious and sensual black cherry and raspberry fruit, touches of wild mint, though it becomes pretty Bretty in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, fresh and lively, with fine grip with a crunchy blackberry, tar and allspice finish. This might actually constitute the best bottle of the 1998 that I have tasted. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
Elegant, classic, mature. Earth driven, spine of acid driving the wine, resolved tannin/oak. No CF this vintage 90 ME 10 CS (have to double check that). Dried red fruit, currant and raspberry with dark cherry, turned earth, fall leaves, dried tobacco, dried rose, pipe smoke, animal, clove. Brett in in check, quite lovely actually
Elegant, classic, mature. Earth driven, spine of acid driving the wine, resolved tannin/oak. No CF this vintage 90 ME 10 CS (have to double check that). Dried red fruit, currant and raspberry with dark cherry, turned earth, fall leaves, dried tobacco, dried rose, pipe smoke, animal, clove. Brett in in check, quite lovely actually
Sep 29th, 2018
1998 vintage. A great Vcc approaching its peak. Beautiful Merlot fruit with piquant Cab Franc herbs and spice.
1998 vintage. A great Vcc approaching its peak. Beautiful Merlot fruit with piquant Cab Franc herbs and spice.
2 people found it helpfulMar 30th, 2015
Decanted for a bit but wish it had been for longer. Delicious and still young.
Decanted for a bit but wish it had been for longer. Delicious and still young.
Dec 16th, 2016
Took some time, about an hour, but this is truly delicious.
Took some time, about an hour, but this is truly delicious.
Jan 17th, 2013
Young looking ruby , medium wide ruby rim . Quite open for business, lovely undergrowth , earthy , touch of tar, cassis, fresh dark plum , granite . On the palate lovely savoury red and dark fruits , grafite . Lovely quite gritty tannin still . Refreshing acidity and Very long length. Great now but will go on for many years on this level .
Young looking ruby , medium wide ruby rim . Quite open for business, lovely undergrowth , earthy , touch of tar, cassis, fresh dark plum , granite . On the palate lovely savoury red and dark fruits , grafite . Lovely quite gritty tannin still . Refreshing acidity and Very long length. Great now but will go on for many years on this level .
Jan 13th, 2023
Textbook right bank beauty. Perfume of cigar box and sweetness gives way to tons of spice, currants, graphite and plum that you’d expect from a right bank BDX. Only knock on this is that it finishes a little thin, but the flavor profile is there
Textbook right bank beauty. Perfume of cigar box and sweetness gives way to tons of spice, currants, graphite and plum that you’d expect from a right bank BDX. Only knock on this is that it finishes a little thin, but the flavor profile is there
Apr 10th, 2022