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(Vieux-Château-Certan (Pomerol)) In my historical feature on the estate back in 2009, I really liked the 1995 vintage of VCC and this most recent bottle, drunk in 2018, was still showing beautifully and perhaps, even a touch better with the passage of nine more years of cellaring. The bouquet is very deep and refined, delivering a fine combination of plums, sweet dark berries, cigar wrapper, dark soil tones, a deft framing of nutty new oak, cigar smoke and just a touch of youthful cabernet sauvignon herb tones in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and soil-driven in personality, with a lovely core of black fruit, moderate, suave tannins and outstanding focus and grip on the long, superbly balanced and vibrant finish. This is a beautiful, beautiful vintage of VCC that is getting awfully close to its plateau of maturity. Give it just a few more years. (Drink between 2023-2085).John Gilman | 95+ JGThe 1995 Vieux Château Certan is a very capable wine that is now reaching its peak. The Cabernet Franc has always been the key component, imparting a lovely ferrous, undergrowth note on the nose that neatly counterbalances the intense red and black fruit laced with mint. The palate is ripe and generous with kirsch and red plum, quite saturated and maybe even "glossy". Maybe my one criticism is the toastiness of the oak on the finish that lends it a Rioja-like personality, but otherwise this is very fine. Taken from the Pomerol book authored by Neal Martin..Vinous Media | 93 VMVery subtle aromas of dark chocolate, light plum and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh fruit finish. Refined and caressing. Holding back. I prefer the ’96. Hasn’t evolved as well as I hoped.--’95/’96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

One of the unquestioned stars of the vintage, the 2014 Vieux Château Certan soars out of the glass with aromatic intensity, bright acids and finely sculpted fruit. Cool, intense but very much reserved in the style of the year, the 2014 exudes class. The flavors are intense and vibrant throughout. Dark red and purplish-hued stone fruit, lavender, mint and spice lead into the striking finish. The 2014 is just as impressive today as it was from barrel. As always, Vieux Certan has the rare ability to confer power without excess weight. The 2014 is a magical bottle. Readers who can find it should not hesitate. The blend is back to classic proportions of 80 % Merlot and 20 % Cabernet Franc.Antonio Galloni | 97+ AGThe 2014 Vieux Château Certan is glorious stuff that has more personality and sexiness than just about every other wine in the vintage. Kirsch, black cherries, flowers, forest floor and exotic spice characteristics all emerge from this ethereally textured, elegant, beautifully rich 2014 that has notable acidity, sweet tannin, and a great finish. With an almost Burgundian elegance and purity, it’s already drinking nicely, but will be even better in another 3-4 years and keep for two decades.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDThis is so gorgeous with black truffles, stones and subtle blackberries. Black mushrooms, too. Full-bodied, so dense and deep with very silky tannins and an endless finish. The density of fruit is superb. Truly irresistible. Drink in 2022 but already wonderful to drink.James Suckling | 97 JSThis is a rich, finely structured wine. It is highly perfumed, packed with black fruits and has a dark, firm texture. At the same time, the acidity is intense and the structure tight, suggesting a wine to age. Beautifully endowed with great fruit, it will take time to develop. Drink from 2026. Wine Enthusiast | 97 WEThe 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.Robert Parker Neal Martin | 96 RP-NMGorgeous, 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. — JMWine Spectator | 96 WSEnjoyably full of rich dark fruits, pretty serious in feel and in tannic hold that supports without crushing the fruit. Overall the layers are starting to peel back and show cassis, blackberry, earth, cigar box and tobacco smoke. Plenty of pleasure on offer here. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2038Decanter | 94 DEC