Château Vieux Château Certan 2014 is a red wine from Pomerol in Bordeaux, produced by Vieux Château Certan, a property owned by the Thienpont family. Its blend comprises 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate harvested in three passes from 19 September to 8 October 2014, following green harvesting and leaf-plucking operations during the summer; the announced yield is 38 hl/ha. The Wine Advocate awards it 96/100 and places its maturity from 2020 to 2050; Wine Spectator also rates it 96/100, with a drinking window from 2020 to 2035, while James Suckling gives it 97/100. Critics describe a classic Pomerol that is taut and precise, driven by a pronounced freshness, fine and persistent tannins, pure black and red fruit, as well as a long finish with mineral and spicy accents.
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.
Eucalyptus leaf and licorice, coffee grounds, balsamic tones, milk and mint, vibrant cassis and restrained chocolate. The attack is silky and elegant with more moderate extraction and lifted acidity, providing a vibrant, medium- to full-bodied palate and a long, dark aftertaste. Tight, almost austere finish, but tense and polished. Drink or hold.
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. 3,167 cases made. Published on March 31, 2017
70 % Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Mild and wet start to the season, then fine weather mid June allowing even flowering. Scattered stormy periods, then ‘consistent summer sunshine from the end of August until the harvest … De-leafing was necessary on the west side of the rows in order to enhance ripening one week before harvest.’ Deep crimson with some maturity at the rim. Fragrant, attractive nose but quite sturdy, chewy tannins at the moment. Still youthful with quite a bite. More marked acidity than some. But unformed.
