Vieux Chateau Certan 2021

WEINWISSER: "Der Vieux Château Certan ist ein Pomerol von epischer Frische und Tiefe. Er übertrifft deutlich die Bewertung der Primeurs-Verkostungen, und eigentlich hätte ich stundenlang mit Alexandre Thienpont von diesem köstlichen VCC genießen können. Denn was ihn so animierend macht, ist seine enorme Frische und tiefgründige Reife, likörig leichte Aromatik, die mit den niedrigen 13.5 Vol.-% eine besondere Trinkigkeit erlangt. Dunkle Farbe, viskos. Im Duft erzeugt er eine sehr feine, delikate Frucht mit grandioser Eleganz und liköriger Aromatik, dabei auch Rosenblätter, Schokolade und vielschichtige Würze. Die 3 % Cabernet Sauvignon bewirken im 2021er eine ganz besondere Präsenz im Obertonbereich. Superdelikat und finessenreich beginnt er im Mund und wirkt wie ein Burgunder mit Cabernet-Händedruck. Enorm konzentriert und mittig strukturiert, ewig frisch und durchdringend aromatisch im Nachhall. Ein unnachgiebiger VCC mit enormem Druck, extrem lang, sogar länger als in einigen wärmeren Jahren. Viel dunkle Früchte im Rückaroma. Wer vom Charme eines Vieux Château Certan schon oft begeistert war, wird den 21er absolut lieben! Sollte unbedingt auf der Kaufliste des Klassik-Liebhabers stehen."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "In contention for wine of the vintage, and even better in the bottle than it was in the barrel, this gem pops with its display of flowers, spices, truffles, tobacco leaves, cherries, plums, and chocolate. The palate is influenced by its wealth of Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. This is a wine of finesse, freshness, refinement, elegance, and vibrancy, leaving you with lift, and energetic, red fruits with tension, precision, complexity, and length that builds during the finish. The wine blends 77% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2026-2055."

DECANTER: "A wine you don’t want to put down. Not light, but round and full for 2021, with body and concentration, carrying its frame well with a direct piercing of flavour through the middle. Tension and tang, bite and grip, gravel and clay nuances in texture and flavour. Juicy and succulent with tobacco, wet stones, slightly creamy and chalky with red and black fruits. Not the longest in terms of the initial expression, but lovely terroir character with lots of energy. Sublime."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Dunkelbeerig im Duft, sehr klar, sehr reif. Florale Noten, Baumharz. Im Mund seidig und füllig, weich grundiert, mürb-körniges Tannin ohne Grüntöne, sehr dicht, dennoch mild wirkend, viel Saftigkeit, große Homogenität und Länge, feinfruchtig begleitet. Ein makellos reif gelesener Charmeur mit Tiefe und unglaublicher Eleganz."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 77% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Vieux Chateau Certan has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It comes bounding out with exuberant notes of black cherries, juicy raspberries, and fresh, crunchy plums, giving way to nuances of lilacs, crushed rocks, forest floor, and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate has exhilarating tension, with fine-grained tannins and beautifully layered red and black berry flavors, finishing long with lots of mineral and floral sparks. Fireworks!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A beautifully dense wine blending Merlot and 23% of both Cabernets, with black spice and cedar aromas. There is a straight line of acidity and tight spice followed by pure black-currant flavors. Drink from 2028."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Vieux Château Certan has turned out beautifully in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cigar wrapper, black truffle, burning embers, mint and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with impressive density, beautifully refined tannins and a long, gently vanillin-inflected finish, it's a blend of 77% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter imparting complexity and structure. The result is somewhat reminiscent of the estate's exceptional 2011, one of the wines of that unheralded vintage."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Harvested between the September 24 and October 6, the 2021 Vieux Château Certan is 77% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon (planted in 2012), raised in 65% new French oak. The alcohol hit 13.5% with a pH of 3.65. Ripe yet crunchy black cherries, sappy tobacco, spring flowers, and a kiss of crushed stone-like minerality all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, silky, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and the classic spine of acidity of the vintage. It clearly offers pleasure today with its vibrant, elegant style, yet this will cruise in cold cellars on its overall purity, balance, and acidity."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Rich, racy and aromatic with floral notes to the fore. Old-vine intensity, something not always evident this year. Smooth, elegant texture with fine, persistent tannins. Sweetness to the fruit on attack then fresh and driven on the finish. Good potential."