Vieux Chateau Certan 2012

DECANTER: "A blooming bouquet backed by a splendid core of multi-faceted fruit give this real class, which Left Bank wines often lacked in 2012. The highest proportion of Merlot (87%) since the 1985 vintage, which third-generation owner Alexandre Thienpont described as a ‘glass of perfume’. Still improving."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Vieux Château Certan has a potent, smoke, cooked meat, Cabernet Franc-scented bouquet that is beautifully defined—quintessentially Pomerol. You want typicité? Come right here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite gentle as it sashays across the mouth. The acidity is very well judged and leads to an elegant tobacco tinged finish. Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont have produced one of the finest wines of the Right Bank in 2012, one that is up there with the greats. Tasted January 2016."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This wine is already so delicious, it's initially hard to find the structure. Packed with black fruits, it has velvet tannins that only slowly reveal their power. Layers of generous Merlot give the ripest black plum flavors. The wine is rich and the tannins well integrated, yet everything will age well. Drink from 2024."

JAMES SUCKLING: "So complex and pure with mushrooms, tobacco, chocolate and berries. Full-bodied yet refined, fresh and lively. The texture is so silky and intense. A real beauty and balance that both make you want to drink it."

WEINWISSER: "87 % Merlot, 12 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Cabernet Sauvignon. 33 hl/ha. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Florales Bouquet, rote Pflaumenhaut, ein Hauch von roten Pfefferschoten und dunkler Schokolade, beruhigend und mit einer ganz feinen Rauchnote bestückt, die wohl von den sehr alten Merlots stammt, die für den Grand Vin selektioniert wurden. Aromatischer Gaumen, auch hier fast mehr Pflaumen als Beeren, fein stützende Säure mit einer eleganten Rasse über dem noch dezent mehligen Extrakt, klingt erhaben aus. Ein beruhigender, klassischer VCC, der vielleicht unterschätzt wird. Erstmals war Alexandres Sohn Guillaume auf dem Château präsent. Die Erfolgsgeschichte von VCC geht also glücklicherweise familienintern weiter."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Im Bukett erstaunlich reif wirkend, Anklänge von Zwetschken, Schokolade, gute Komplexität, dezenter Nougat, bleibt gut haften. Mineralischer Nachhall, gemessen am Jahrgang überaus gut gelungen, verfügt über Entwicklungspotenzial."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Lift, fragrance, almost stereotypical Margaux on the nose! Really very attractive indeed. Liquorice and lovely fruit. Throbbing with life. Dry finish."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Very distinctive, with a terrific smoldering tobacco and charcoal frame around a core of steeped fig, blackberry and plum fruit. The fruit drapes beautifully across the finish, while the charcoal edge extends on and on, picking up warm stone, chestnut and alder notes along the way. Shows serious grip, and should be among the longest-lived wines of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2030. 2,830 cases made."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Truffle, chocolate, cherry blossom and plum aromatics open to a fresh, soft, sweet, silky plum and black cherry finish. Give this just a few years to develop more charm, complexity and softness."