![Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol [BS, SHC]](https://account.justerinis.com/media/images/bottles/family-bottle-13998.jpg?fm=avif&q=30 "Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol [BS, SHC]")
critic reviews
This is an old school VCC blend with high Cabernet Sauvignon, before the vineyard with replanted with higher levels of Cabernet Franc beginning in 1991. Even so, any early austerity has melted by this point, and the wine is showing iodine, fine tannins, fragrant, melted, nothing out of place, earthy broth and campfire smoke with spiced, softened blackberry and black cherry fruit, tertiary and charming. Some dispute over the date of harvest, but almost certainly began on August 31, a feat that would not be repeated for many decades.
The 1989 Vieux Château Certan was an early picking from August 31 after the Merlots reached 13% alcohol, then regarded as a high level. It shows modest brick on the rim. This vintage appears to have matured faster in recent years. Indeed, I have fonder memories of this in the noughties. Loose-knit red fruit, tea leaves, light touches of mint - it does improve and cohere with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. It's a little compact and doesn't "flow" like the best Right Banks in this vintage. It just cuts away a little abruptly without your leave. The bottle poured the previous October at the 1989 Bordeaux dinner was far superior! Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove.