Old Chateau Certan - Pomerol 2012 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Vieux Château Certan has a potent, smoke, cooked meat, Cabernet Franc-scented bouquet that is beautifully defined—quintessentially Pomerol. You want typicité? Come right here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite gentle as it sashays across the mouth. The acidity is very well judged and leads to an elegant tobacco tinged finish. Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont have produced one of the finest wines of the Right Bank in 2012, one that is up there with the greats. Tasted January 2016.

Vinous

96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe1/15/2016

Unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, the 2012 Vieux Château Certan is pure class. So many Pomerols speak to power in 2012, but VCC is all finesse. Forward and open-knit with that classic sense of translucent beauty that is the most identifiable attribute of VCC, the 2012 is simply magnificent. Veins of minerality give the wine its precision and energy, while lifted notes of sage, lavender, mint and tobacco captivate all the senses. The blend is 87% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers who can find the 2012 should not hesitate, as it is superb. Drinking window 2018 - 2037.

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

So complex and pure with mushrooms, tobacco, chocolate and berries. Full-bodied yet refined, fresh and lively. The texture is so silky and intense. A real beauty and balance that both make you want to drink it.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

the1/7/2015

Very distinctive, with a terrific smoldering tobacco and charcoal frame around a core of steeped fig, blackberry and plum fruit. The fruit drapes across the finish. Best from 2018 through 2030.—J.M.

timatkin.com

95 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

Alexandre Thienpont describes the Merlot in his 2012 as “simple”, saying that it needs the Cabernet Franc for complexity and palate length, but I think he’s being too hard on his own wine. This isn’t another 2010 VCC, but it’s still a delight: perfumed, grassy and supple with bramble and green pepper notes, silky tannins and well handled oak. A château enjoying a rich vein of form. Drink: 2020-35

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-92 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/29/2013

Good full ruby.  Cool, medicinal aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, violet and mint.  Then silky and deep on the palate, offering pure dark berry and floral flavors and an attractive combination of stuffing and energy.  Finishes perfumed and very long, with suave, fine-grained tannins.  Another very successful VCC in the making.

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Nez réglissé, bouche tendue, tannique, finale assez serrée. Un peu boudeur à ce stade de son élévage. O= 2017 G= 12 ans

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

This is a Merlot year for Alexandre and his son Guillaume: the 2012 a blend o 87% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and just 1% Cabernet Sauvignon (the latter due to a parcel being replanted at the moment.) The nose is very well defined and lively, real “energy” coming from the glass. There are crisp scents of blackcurrant, wild strawberry and a tangible stoniness – very expressive of its terroir. The palate is superb: real tension and purity here, crisp acidity, tensile tannins that lend this VCC edginess and race. The fruit is black rather than red with a sense of poise and superbly assimilated oak on the nervous finish. What a great Pomerol for the vintage! Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Very fresh, with lots of brightly defined red currant, damson plum, anise, violet and white pepper notes. The lacy but persistent structure and energetic acidity lead to a long, tobacco-filled finish. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Superbly profound and unruffled with Zen-like control and terrific balance at only 13.5% - refreshing.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/29/2013

Drink 2017-2025Deep, dark cherry colour. Certainly no shortage of colour in the 2012s on the right bank. Alexandre Thienpont describes 2012 as 'a Merlot vintage of pedigree and balance', and this year only 12% Cabernet Franc (a third of the total), and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, went into the grand vin – although the Cabernet Franc was very much needed for freshness and they found 100% Merlot was too simple – you have to have soils like those of Petrus and Le Pin to produce a very fine 100% Merlot. The vintage conditions favoured old vines on the best sites. 33 hl/h, harvested 1-11 October but even by 11 October not all the Cabernet Franc was fully ripe and by then it was too late as they saw some rot developing. pH 3.8, TA 3.2 g/l (sulphuric, ie 4.89 g/l tartaric), IPT 75. Approx 75% new oak. High level of coulure, and very strict selection, giving rise to one of the lowest yields in the last 20 years. Strong graphite aroma on the nose even though there is less Cabernet Franc than in some years. Silky tannins pull you along to a dry, polished finish. Cool and fresh with sweet blueberry fruit on the mid palate and a touch of earthiness adding savour. Very fine tannins. Earlier drinking wine than 2009 or 2010. (JH) 13.5%

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/26/2013

Élégant, très classique, raffiné et subtilement épicé, allonge précise, 12 % de cabernet franc jouent leur rôle mais le merlot est sans aucune lourdeur, finale assez aérienne.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

A top success, the 2012 Vieux Chateau Certan is composed of 87% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep mulberry, plum and black cherry fruit notes intermixed with touches of graphite and subtle smoke lead to a medium-bodied wine with beautiful intensity, well-integrated oak, a velvety opulence and a long, impressively pure finish. A strong effort, it should drink well for 15 or more years. Alexander Thienpont continues to turn out brilliant wines from this property situated on the high Plateau of Pomerol. The harvest took place between October 1 and 11, producing 33 hectoliters per hectare. The 2012 achieved 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.8 and an index of polyphenols as high as the 2010, which was somewhat surprising. It is not nearly as powerful or rich as the 2010 or the 2009. All the old vine parcels of Merlot made it into the final blend.Drink: 2013 - 2028

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Alexandre Thienpont described 2011 as a year for lean cats. That is not the case with the 2012. Harvested from October 11 through October 12, with yields of just 33 hectoliters per hectare, the wine reached 13% alcohol. Blending 87% Merlot with 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine pops with truffle, coconut, flowers, wild strawberry and cherry. Silky in texture, medium-bodied and fresh, 2012 Vieux Chateau Certan is a wine of finesse and refinement. According to Alexandre Thienpont, some vintages of Vieux Chateau Certan favor Cabernet Franc, while other years are better for Merlot. 2012 is a Merlot vintage. The wine is refined, fresh, pure and elegant in style. It’s a vintage that focuses on the aromatics and purity of the fruit. It does not display the power of 2009 or 2010, instead it focuses on the refined, perfumed qualities of Vieux Chateau Certan. 93-94 Pts

Decanter.com

17,75 / 20

the4/22/2013

Great wine but doesn't quite hit the heights of 2011. 12% Cabernet Franc compared to 30% in 2011. Fresh, floral and fragrant on the palate and nose. Great purity and finesse on the palate.. 17.75/20pts ( 92/100pts)Drink: 2019 - 2035Taster: James Lawther MW

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,75-16 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/9/2013

Le toucher de bouche magique du cru est bien là, mais il y a une note végétale inattendue. Longueur moyenne. Rendement : 33 hl/ha, sélection du premier vin 60 %. Une des plus petites récoltes depuis vingt ans.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A dense VCC with beautiful fruit of chocolate, blackberries, blueberries. Full body and velvety, with lovely richness and balanced. So juicy and yummy already. A round and voluptuous young red. One of the top wines of the vintage but not quite 2011 VCC, which benefited from outstanding Cabernet Franc.