Old Chateau Certan - Pomerol 2014 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Vinous

96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/28/2018

The 2014 Vieux-Château Certan has an attractive bouquet with blackberry, clove and truffle aromas, nicely defined though it seems to have closed up a little since I tasted it just after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a keen thread of acidity. The palate shows the real potential, more than the nose at the moment. There is wondrous linearity and precision and it finishes with haunting grace. At this tasting I marked this lower than I wanted because it just continuously improved in the glass after I announced my score to the group. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/31/2017

The 2014 Vieux Chateau Certan is a blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked in three stages: 19-20 September, 29 September to 2 October, and 7 and 8 October. The yields came in at 38.7 hectoliters per hectare with 13.4% alcohol. It was one of my stars of the vintage and now in bottle, I find no reason to change that. It is endowed with an exquisite bouquet, really one of the best I encountered throughout my tastings: perfumed blackberry, wild strawberry, cold stone and wilted rose petals. Like in barrel, it is not powerful, yet it is blessed with wondrous precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and fine tannin, a slightly masculine VCC due to its linearity and precision. There is tension here from start to finish, a sophisticated and cerebral Pomerol that transcends the growing season. It is a totally different kettle of fish to the 2015 (and doubtless the pre-natal 2016). This is unashamedly classic in style, fanning out towards the mineral-rich finish with great frisson and energy. A cellar without the 2014 Vieux-Château-Certan would be a great pity.

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

This is so gorgeous with black truffles, stones and subtle blackberries. Black mushrooms, too. Full-bodied, so dense and deep with very silky tannins and an endless finish. The density of fruit is superb. Truly irresistible. Drink in 2022 but already wonderful to drink.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/9/2017

Lovely, with a stream of raspberry confiture flowing through, while light mint, star anise and black tea notes weave in and out. The long and refined finish has a light mineral accent, while the fruit sails on. This is quietly one of the best second wines in Bordeaux. Best from 2018 through 2026. 1,330 cases made.

Vinous

97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

One of the unquestioned stars of the vintage, the 2014 Vieux Château Certan soars out of the glass with aromatic intensity, bright acids and finely sculpted fruit. Cool, intense but very much reserved in the style of the year, the 2014 exudes class. The flavors are intense and vibrant throughout. Dark red and purplish-hued stone fruit, lavender, mint and spice lead into the striking finish. The 2014 is just as impressive today as it was from barrel. As always, Vieux Certan has the rare ability to confer power without excess weight. The 2014 is a magical bottle. Readers who can find it should not hesitate. The blend is back to classic proportions of 80 % Merlot and 20 % Cabernet Franc. 97+

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe1/11/2017

Gorgeous, with a core of remarkably pure blackberry, raspberry and black currant fruit wrapped up in a fresh tobacco leaf accent. Everything is carried by silky yet persistent tannins, while the finish lets suave warm stone and singed juniper details fill in. Shows some coiled-up energy, which should make for fun cellaring. Best from 2020 through 2035. From France .— J.M.

Le Point

17,5-18 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Nez boisé franc, blond, bouche franche, droite, tendue, vive, joli fruit, très cerise. Belle tension, long, droit, le cabernet tend le vin et donne du relief au merlot.

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

One of the highlights of the vintage, the Vieux Château Certan is a wine of total finesse. Sweet floral notes meld into a core of blue and purplish-hued stone fruits. The tannins are present, but they are noble and barely perceptible. With time in the glass, the floral/savory notes become even more expressive, but it is the wine's textural elegance that truly elevates it. The 2014 finished with bracing freshness and palpable sense of energy. Readers who can find the 2014 should not hesitate, as it is truly superb.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

A wine where the aromatics are forever going to be a key part of the experience, this vintage reflects violets, kirsch, earth and spicy aromas, creating a delicate, beguiling and complex perfume. Long, pure and vibrant, with ripe loads of fresh sweet cherries and black raspberries, if it puts on more weight in the aging process – and it just might – this wine could be even more impressive. I imagine the wine will hit the top end of my scoring range, but time will tell. Blending 80% Merlot with 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 13.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.62. 95-96 Pts

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Vieux Château Certan 2014 is a blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Franc, picked in three stages: 19-20 September, 29 September to 2 October and 7 and 8 October. The yields came in at 38.7 hectoliters per hectare with 13.4% alcohol. Noticeably deep and clear in color, the nose takes time to “rev up” but stick with it because it eventually reveals exquisite pure blackberry and briary scents. It is not a powerful set of aromatics but they are so finely tuned and pretty. The palate is one of the best you will find this vintage: very precise and focused, here the intensity delivered by that Cabernet Franc, complex and cerebral like the best VCC’s. Truffle, blackberry, woodland aromas waft temptingly from the glass and there is the perfect balance of sweetness and reserve to beg another sip. Alexandre and his son, Guillaume Thienpont may have overseen the best wine of the vintage.

Asian Palate

93-94 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Luscious and ripe with ripe plum, spices and cherry. Balanced, lively with fresh juicy red and black berries. The yield in this vintage was good at 39 hl/ha and the late harvest through October 8 allowed the Cabernet Franc to shine. According to owner Alexandre Thienpont, the 2014 wine was 'saved' by the Cabernet Franc, which was beautiful in this vintage. There is 80% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc in this wine.

Decanter.com

18,5 / 20

byJames Lawther MWthe4/17/2015

Classic blend of 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet. Real personality. Elegant, perfumed nose with blueberry, violet and chocolate notes. Refined tannins provide a velvety texture as well as persistence and length. Lovely fruit, fine structure. Vibrant, fresh finish. Drink: 2022-2040 (95)

Jancis Robinson

18,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/14/2015

80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. 38.7 hl/ha, IPT just 63, TA 3.68 g/l (= 5.63 g/l expressed as tartaric). Multi-dimensional. Intense and super-healthy nose. Intense and wonderfully round and fresh. Lifted and frisky. Wonderful undertow. His just-deceased oenologue (since 1962/63) would be delighted with this wine of haute cuisine, racy but round and properly full of complex fruit. Complete.   13.4%Drink 2023-2036

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

There’s a purity of fruit in this wine that shows the soil and uniqueness with wet earth, tobacco, mushroom and red fruits. Full and silky with fine tannins and a fresh finish. The 20% cabernet franc makes this wine great. It’s like a wonderfully cut ruby.

timatkin.com

95 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

80 % Merlot, 19 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Cabernet Sauvignon. 38,7 hl/ha. Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Mit 13,4 Vol. % ein ausserordentliche reiches Jahr. Doch dasmerkt man nicht im ersten Nasenansatz, welcher zwischen Schokolade, Kräutern und Brombeeren herum tanzt. Im zweiten Nasenansatz eine feine Pfeffernote zeigend. Im Gaumen mit sehr guter Säure (selten so vif erlebt!), eher schlanker Körper mit feinster Rasse und ebensolchen Muskeln, die Länge ist spannend und das Potential ist solide und versprechend. Etwas mehr Fett würde man diesem Wein noch wünschen, aber das kommt wohl noch mit der Barrique. 18/20 2023 – 2040

Wine Enthusiast

97 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

96–98. Barrel Sample. This is a perfumed, refined wine, with a beautiful structure. There is intense acidity and fine, dusty tannins that are balanced by red fruit tones and elegance at the end.   — R.V. (4/2/2015)

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

Reserved in terms of aroma, but shows beautiful mouthfeel and depth, with pure cassis, blueberry and plum fruit thatglides along, laced with a lively tobacco leaf note and backed by a sanguine twinge. Ample singed vanilla and alderaccents chime in as well, but they stay in the background while the fruit plays out.