Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol, 2019
According to Alexandre Thienpont, "the radiant profile of Vieux Château Certan wines was shaped by the cool conditions at the end of the season, with expressive, aromatic must and particularly high tannin and anthocyanin potential. The results are a delight: fresh, concentrated, well-balanced, powerful wines with beautifully refined tannins". 2019 is a ripe, tannic wine which has maintained its fruit character and acidity incredibly well. It displays wonderful balance. The Merlot is dense, fleshy, suave and full and displays noble pedigree. The small amount of Cabernet Franc that has been selected for the First Wine is beautifully delicate, complex and flavoursome and with a lingering finish. The 2019 VCC is very promising and can be compared with the 2010 in terms of character, concentration and complexity. 85% Merlot (harvested 23rd to 27th September for old vines), 15% Cabernet Franc (2nd and 3rd October).
critic reviews
The 2019 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 23 after light showers the previous day. "We dared to add some Cabernet Sauvignon in 2019, which gives complexity," Alexandre Thienpont remarks, "but the Cabernet was 'killed' in 2020." It has a much more discrete bouquet than the 2018, unfolding with truffle-tinged black fruit. There are fewer marmalade scents than I noticed a couple of years ago, but there is absolutely stunning delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, like a cousin of the superlative 2016 in many ways, but it may be silkier towards the finish. Elegant yet paradoxically intense, this is VCC at full flight. And it's only on its opening pages! Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium.
The 2019 Vieux Chateau Certan, composed of 78% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, is deep garnet-purple in color. Quite closed to start, it slowly reveals hints of plum pudding, blackberry preserves, and boysenberries with suggestions of Indian spices, mocha, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is fantastically layered, rich, and hedonic, with velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and decadent.
The tannins are firm and strict, keeping the dark fruits carefully in line. Tons of liquorice and slate, with a beautifully fragrant edge of violets, peonies, smoke. It has the kind of austerity that makes you happy to be patient, hiding layers and layers of nuance, with the sleight of hand between density and lightness, so it rises and falls, breathing through your palate, stretching its limbs. A delicious and beautifully classical expression, intellectual also, finishing with oyster shell salinity. 70% new oak, 40hl/h yield, harvest September 23 to October 3.