Vieux Château Certan - Pomerol 2005

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

par James Molesworth le 12/06/2018

Sleek and refined, without the obvious tannic spine of the vintage, but loaded with smoldering tobacco, bay leaf and alder notes, melded fully with the core of black currant and blackberry fruit. The structure is defined by length and cut rather than sheer force. Drink now through 2035. 4,165 cases made.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Neal Martin le 10/06/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This VCC seems to have closed down. The fruits is rather subdued on the nose although some decanting would have allowed it to blossom Quite tannic and masculine on the palate, good acidity, a slight savoury, earthy edge, rather angular on the finish but it does have good freshness and vitality. Good potential, but not suited to blind conditions where it does not have time to unfurl. Tasted January 2009. 94+

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

par Stephen Tanzer le 30/06/2008

Bright ruby-red. Very closed nose hints at licorice and nutty oak. Sweet and broad in the mouth, with a chocolatey ripeness but less energy and grip than the 2006. This is more mouthfilling, and more sexy today in the middle palate, but may ultimately be less complex. Or is it just more reserved today? Finishes with substantial tannins that call for at least several years of aging. 92(+?)

Vinum

18.50 / 20

le 30/06/2008

Nez d'abord discret sur des notes minérales et fruitées, la finale et fruitée et sans la pointe brûlante de beaucoup d'autres vins. Ce vin possède de l'élégance, même en ce millésime, ainsi qu'une typicité étonnante. Excellent. 2012 à 2018.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

par Robert Parker le 07/05/2008

A stunning effort from Alexander Thienpont, the 2005 Vieux Chateau Certan (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an inky/blue/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous perfume of black olives, lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, pain grille, and oodles of truffles as well as creme de cassis. In the mouth, hints of chocolate and charcoal also make an appearance along with good acidity, fabulous purity, and a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. In keeping with the style of this terroir, the wine is reserved and restrained, but deep. It should develop magnificently, and age for 30-40 years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.

La Revue du Vin de France

17.50 / 20

le 25/02/2008

Superbe bouquet de fruits noirs légèrement confits, et touche de boisé fin et séducteur. En bouche, vin complet, élégant, riche, avec une note de surmaturité dans l'expression du fruit. Les tanins doivent s'arrondir.

Wine Spectator

97 / 100

par James Suckling le 22/02/2008

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 04/05/2007

A remarkable blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has produced a Medoc-styled Pomerol exhibiting a deep ruby/purple hue, a sweet bouquet of roasted herbs, licorice, toasty vanilla, and plenty of black currants as well as truffles. It is a rich, classic effort with abundant tannin, good acidity, and impeccable purity and balance. Always a restrained, reserved style of wine, but it delivers considerable complexity, and ages brilliantly. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030+.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/05/2006

Sweet scents of mulberries, black currants, and cherries intertwined with notes of herbs, licorice, and pain grille emerge from this lovely Pomerol. The wine comes across as reserved, but there is impressive extract, tannin, and glycerin in the long finish. Made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 is a structured, elegant, potentially complex and noble Vieux Chateau Certan. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+.

La Revue du Vin de France

17 / 20

le 24/04/2006

Vin tendre, raffiné, moins vineux que quelques autres stars à sa naissance (on a l'habitude), un rien moins souple et parfumé que Le Pin, mais dans le même esprit. Il devrait lui aussi s'étoffer considérablement avec l'élevage.

Wine Spectator

95-100 / 100

par James Suckling le 30/03/2006

Intense blackberry, chocolate and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with amazing texture of soft tannins and ripe fruit. All in balance. So long. Goes on and on. Loving and tender. What a red. This reminds me of 1950, although I wasn't around to taste it from barrel! I am amazed. —J.S.