Vieux Chateau Certan 2025

Falstaff: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach schwarzen Kirschen, ein Hauch von Erdbeerkonfit, reife Zwetschken, ein Hauch von kandierten Orangenzesten, zarter Nougat unterlegt. Komplex, extraktsüß, schwarzes Beerenkonfit, etwas Lakritze, reife, tragende Tannine, feiner Schokotouch im Abgang, sehr gute Länge, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

The Wine Cellar Insider: Violets, iris, black cherries, blue fruits, chocolate, cocoa, licorice, mint leaves, and truffles create the wine's complex aromatics. However, it is on the palate that the wine truly steals the show. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated, opulent, and palate-staining, the wine coats your mouth, teeth, and gums with layers of plums and cherries drenched in dark chocolate. The finish is intense, long, full, rich, deep, and seamless, and you will notice it in your glass. Part of the wine's success in 2025 was blending fruit from young vines planted in 2015, which helped achieve the drinkability you already find in your glass. The wine blends 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV, 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 8 - September 18. Yields were only 22 hectoliters. Drink from 2030-2065."

James Suckling: Subtle and pure, with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, pencil shavings and touches of raspberries, flowers, oyster shells and iodine. Medium-bodied with subtle and integrated tannins that run the length of the wine and make you want to drink it. The length and finesse are sublime. A mineral, stone and light cement texture. It grows beautiful in the great finish. 80% merlot, 15% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon."

Jane Anson: Fragrant, full of energy, dense with silky tannins, steals up on you as it opens, and this is a gorgeous wine that deserves attention. Chamomile, cumin, cassis, blackberry, cocoa bean, espresso, fresh thyme, tobacco, layered and luscious. This really stayed with me, and I absolutely recommend it, one of the wines of Pomerol in the vintage. Harvest September 8 to 18. Estate signature, 22hl/h yield, 3.75ph. The first year with Guillaume Thienpont fully in charge, although still working alongside his father Alexandre (who began with his own father in 1985)."

Decanter: An outstanding VCC this year and one of the picks of Pomerol. Deep aromatics of dark black fruit that stays cool with some liquorice and cola, plus a soft floral fragrance and chocolate creaminess. Inky and really vibrant colour in the glass. Smooth and supple, both creamy and chalky with black fruit and a heady savoury spiced aspect. I love the stickiness - there’s a chew but it remains cool and lifted, nothing heavy, more comforting like a big hug - velvety, charming and almost sensuous. Acidity doesn't stick out, the focus is on complexity and remarkable texture with ripe tannins. Density is there yet it doesn't feel heavy. Ends so cool with lots of cola, a touch of iron and stones, fresh mint and savoury herbaceousness. Absolutely beautiful, hedonistic and so long. 3.75pH. A yield of 22hl/ha. Ageing two thirds new oak, one third one-year-old barrels."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2025 Vieux Château Certan slowly unfurls to reveal a gorgeous perfume of violets, black cherries, sandalwood, and licorice, leading to a core of blueberry compote and plum preserves, with a waft of fragrant soil. The medium- to full-bodied palate is refreshing, plush, and vibrant with layers of black and blue fruit and floral notes, finishing on a lingering anise note. The blend is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The alcohol is 14.01% with a pH of 3.75."

Jeb Dunnuck: Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Vieux Château Certan is a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that's being raised in 66% new French oak with the balance in once-used barrels. Harvested from yields of just 22 hectoliters per hectare, it hit 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.75. The aromatics are powerful and concentrated, with ripe black and blue fruits, graphite, scorched earth, and violets all defining the nose. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a balanced, layered mouthfeel, rock-solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's a serious Vieux Château Certan that's going to be great, but it's going to need time."