Vieux Château Certan 2023

82% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc Vieux Château Certan affiche d’entrée de la fraîcheur et du fruit ! La fraîcheur n’est pas due au Cabernet Sauvignon cette année, car l’épisode aride l’a bloqué dans son évolution. Alexandre Thienpont a préféré se concentrer sur le merlot et le Cabernet Franc. Le vin a du fond, de la profondeur, avec une touche saline qui redynamise la finale et qui complète le charme des tannins. Le vin est puissant et élégant, fin et imposant. Il le doit à son pédigrée, à son terroir, à ses argiles. Un vin linéaire, strict, mais quand même charmant avec des tensions qui font office de zone tampon. Un très grand vin avec de belles visions d’avenir et, surtout, de garde ! 2030-2068

Alexandre and Guillaume, a father-son team, started harvesting on September 18, which is almost two weeks later than most Pomerol estates. I was expecting to find a VCC with exceptional maturity, but to my surprise, it had an abundance of violet fragrance accompanied by a refined and smooth palate. Sometimes, one cannot help but admire their mastery of elegance. The 2023 vintage encapsulates many of VCC’s recent characteristics such as juicy berry aromas, fine tannins, a seamless taste experience, and the elegance of violet fragrances. When it comes to elegance, VCC ranks either first or second in the Pomerol, beyond any dispute.

A very fine and polished young VCC with subtle density and a racy backbone of tannins. Compact with well-toned muscles and a persistent finish. Very silky. Really grows at the end. 82% merlot and 18% cabernet franc.

The 2023 Vieux Château Certan bursts from the glass with demonstrative aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings, violets mingled with notions of burning embers, iris, crushed mint and black tea. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and sensual, with a gourmand attack that segues into a layered, enveloping mid-palate, it's polished and perfumed, with a sweet core of fruit and a long, gently oak-inflected finish. This year's blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc checks in at 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.74.