Vieux Chateau Certan 2023

WEINWISSER: "82 % Merlot, 18 % Cabernet Franc, 14.0 Vol.-%, pH 3.74, 43 hl/ha. Was für ein unglaubliches reines Parfüm, frischgepflückte Alpenheidelbeere, Waldhimbeere und verführerisches Veilchenparfüm. Im zweiten Ansatz Holundergelee, Graphit und Iris-Duft. Am kaskadenartigen Gaumen mit samtiger Textur, punktet mit Finesse und Präzision, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, herrlicher Extraktfülle und perfekt modelliertem Körper. Im konzentrierten, nicht enden wollenden Finale ein Feuerwerk mit blauen Beeren, tiefschürfender Terroirwürze und royaler Adstringenz. "VCC in a timeless style", fügt Alexandré Thienpont stolz an."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte Kräuterwürze, Nugat, dunkle Kirschen, ein Hauch von Nelken, kandierte Orangenzesten. Komplex, saftig und seidig, feine Extraktsüße, Nuancen von schwarzen Kirschen und Brombeeren, feine, runde Tannine, frische Mineralität im Abgang, animierend, versteckt seine Muskeln perfekt, zeigt große Länge, sicheres Reifepotenzial. Ein Klassiker."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power."

DECANTER: "Beautiful purple colour in the glass, vibrant and alive. Great florality; raspberry, cherry, cranberry, lots of fresh red summer berries and lots of aromatics. Broad and expansive on the palate, delicate yet powerfu with flavours of crushed herbs, stones and mint - sappy and saline. Feels very VCC on the palate, combining grippy Cabernets with fruity, fleshy Merlot. A statuesque and structured wine with no harshness. Effortless and totally moreish. I love it, classicism in the very best way. There’s something incredible about this wine, full of life and juiciness. Excellent. 3.74pH (lower than usual). 4% press wine. Ageing two thirds new oak. 42hl/ha yield."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Black cherries, flowers, chocolate, truffles, blackberries and a touch of cinnamon produce the aromatic profile. Elegance and power do not always go together. But with 2023 VCC, this is exactly what you find. There is intensity, richness, velvety-tannins, chalky accents, and layers of chocolate-infused, dark pit fruits, with wet earth, and spice. The wine is rich, full, and deep, with uplifting acidities providing energy to the long, sensuous finish. The temperate conditions of the growing season, without extreme variances is what allowed the vintage to develop its characteristics. In the cellars, the extractions were slow, soft, and easy. Pump overs were reduced by 30% this year as well. The wine blends 82% Merlot, and 18% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV, 3.74 pH. The harvest took place September 18 - September 29. Drink from 2029-2060."

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

VINUM: "Ein Wein mit viel Tiefgang und Komplexität, man könnte ein Bad nehmen, so fein ist dieser Duft, floral, dunkelfruchtig, verführerisch; dichter Gaumen, satte Frucht, ein Mund voll Wein, ohne ein Gramm Fett zu viel, perfekt austariertes Tannin, sensationelle Struktur, die Frucht ist knackig, die Länge ausgezeichnet. Ein grosser Vieux Château Certan."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Not harvested until after the rains in the middle of September, the 2023 Vieux Château Certan is based on 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in roughly 60% new oak. It's another ripe, medium to full-bodied, aristocratic, beautifully textured Pomerol that has ample black cherry, mulberry, chocolate, and tobacco-like aromatics, medium to full-bodied richness, flawless overall balance, and ripe tannins, as well as a certain salinity on the finish. Checking in at 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.74, it should surpass the 2014 and is a beautiful, elegant, classic wine that every reader would love to have in their cellar."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Fresh, floral and complex. Sweet start then suave and smooth, the fruit crunchy and juicy. Ripe, fine tannic frame. Not the overt power of 2022 but structured and ageworthy all the same. Drink 2034 – 2055"