Vieux Chateau Certan 2024

WEINWISSER: "71 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Franc, 9 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 hl/ha. Verführerisches Parfüm, frischgepflückte schwarze Johannisbeeren, betörendes Veilchenparfüm, getrocknete Kamille, heller Tabak und Heidelbeergelee. Am sublimen Gaumen seidiger Textur, stützendem, reifem Tanningerüst, herrlicher Extraktfülle, dabei ungeheure Energie ausstrahlend, tänzerische Rasse mit enormem Zug. Im konzentrierten Finale blaue Beeren, dunkle Mineralik und ganz langes Rückaroma, wieder Cassis satt. Cassis im Quadrat oder der beste Wein aus Pomerol!"

VINUM: "Leuchtendes Rubinrot und expressiv im Duft, strahlende Frucht, feines Sahnehäubchen, Veilchen über reifer Brombeere, das Holz noch wahrnehmbar, nicht zu dominant, ein Hauch dunkler Tabak schwingt mit; dicht am Gaumen, ungemein kompakt, der Wein zeigt Konzentration, die Frucht ist ungemein knackig, Tannine von höchster Güte begleiten die Frucht über die Zunge, stets da, nie zu dominant, im Abgang von majestätischer Länge mit einem aromatischen Potential, das Seinesgleichen sucht. Hervorragend."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A really classic VCC with such delicious, crunchy fruit, showing blackberries, blueberries, violets and dried spices. Medium-bodied, vivid and lively, it has very fine tannins as well as energy and brilliance. So balanced and harmonious. A blend of 71% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 9% cabernet sauvignon."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine dunkle Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Brombeerkonfit, dezente Kräuterwürze, feiner Cassisanklang, facettenreiches Bukett. Komplex, kräftig, reife Tannine, gute Frische, schwarze Kirschen, salzige Mineralität, lange anhaftend, verfügt über sicheres Reifepotenzial. Erstmals seit Langem mit einem kleinen Anteil von 9 % Cabernet Sauvignon."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Lilacs, violets, cocoa, spearmint, truffle, black cherries, plums, and saffron create a complex set of aromatics. Fresh and fragrant on the palate, the wine is earthy, vibrant, elegant, and silky. The Cabernets make a strong impression, contributing to the mid-palate and a refreshing finish that combines mint, spices, lifted red fruits, silkiness, length, energy, and refinement. The wine blends 71% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.5% ABV, 3.7 pH. The harvest took place September 20 - October 2. Drink from 2029-2047."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple colored. Swans out of the glass with gregarious notes of Morello cherries, juicy blackberries, and fresh raspberries, plus hints of lilac, pencil lead, and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate delivers a sturdy structure of ripe, rounded tannins with seamless freshness and bags of red and black berry flavors, finishing with great length and plenty of minerally sparks."

DECANTER: "Beautiful perfume and aromatic intensity on the nose. Such pristine aromatics. Clean blue fruits and soft saltiness. Bright and shiny straight away, a cool and crisp aspect to the fruit, you can feel the Cabernet density in terms of tannins, they fill the mouth with a crunchy and softly chalky texture with cherry and plum fruit aspects. It loses a little thrust, just softening towards the finish, but this has structure and concentration to the fruit. This has muscle, and a quiet confidence. Super elegant and a different touch than many in Pomerol. 3.70pH. A yield of 30hl/ha. And more Cabernet than usual at 9% instead of 5%."

JEB DUNNUCK: "One of the wines of the vintage, the 2024 Vieux Château Certan is based on 71% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines planted in 2012, and is aging in 66% new barrels. Yields were just 30 hectoliters per hectare. It offers a rare sense of purity and finesse alongside real intensity, with ripe red and black fruits, leafy flowers, spice, and damp earth all emerging on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has a pure, seamless, and incredibly elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. The 2024 checks in at 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.7."

ANSON: "Violet ruby with a vibrant rim, reflects the savoury vivid quality of the vintage in the wines that deliver. Clear chamomile tea, fragrant white blossom, redcurrant, blueberry, a touch of austerity and reserve compared to the past few vintages, but with purity and finesse, mouthwatering finish, 30hl/h yield, 3.7ph, harvest 20 September to 2 October. 3.70 pH, and a high Cabernet character in the final blend (despite one block less of Cabernet Franc after replanting), 66% new oak. An enjoyable wine from Alexandre Thienpont."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 71% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Vieux Château Certan opens in the glass with brooding aromas of dark berries, cedar, cigar wrapper, crushed mint and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, with good density for the vintage and sweet structuring tannins, it concludes with a sapid, slightly earthy finish. Yields after annual sorting came in at 30 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine is being matured in two-thirds new barriques."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Fragrant and floral. Some sweetness on attack then persistent line and length. Less flesh than some years but juicy, fine and balanced. Very pure."