Vieux Chateau Certan 2014

JAMES SUCKLING: "This 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."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 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."

FALSTAFF: "Sehr frischer Duft, Minze und nach Blättern duftender Merlot. Am Gaumen diskret, nicht im Übermaß weich, seidig, mit viel Saft und Struktur unterlegt, frisch und elegant, mit perfekt eingebundenem Alkohol. Immens mineralisch und trotz der Feinheit des Tannins mit intensivem Tannindruck. 13,4 Prozent Alkohol, 19 Prozent Cabernet Franc und 1 Prozent Cabernet Sauvignon."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This 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."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

WINE SPECTATOR: "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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "A complete charmer, the wine is medium/full bodied, elegant, fresh, soft, silky and polished. You can already discern notes of truffle in the nose, and the purity in the red plums and dark cherries on the palate is just great. Give this until 2024 and you'll be set!"

WEINWISSER: "80 % Merlot, 19 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Cabernet Sauvignon. 38,7 hl/ha. Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Mit 13,4 Vol. % ein ausserordentliche reiches Jahr. Doch das merkt man nicht im ersten Nasenansatz, welcher zwischen Schokolade, Kräutern und Brombeeren tanzt. Im zweiten Nasenansatz eine feine Pfeffernote zeigend. Im Gaumen mit sehr guter Säure (selten so vif erlebt!), eher schlanker Körper mit feinster Rasse und ebensolchen Muskeln, die Länge ist spannend und das Potential ist solide und versprechend. Etwas mehr Fett würde man diesem Wein noch wünschen, aber das kommt wohl noch mit der Barrique."