Vieux Chateau Certan 2005

Pomerol

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Tasting Notes
The 2005 Vieux Château Certan blossoms beautifully in the glass, but only after having been opened for several hours. Crushed flowers, mint, sweet herbs, anise and spice make a strong first impression. The 2005 is a VCC that makes its case more on finesse than power. I appreciate the understated, classy style quite a bit. Even so, the 2005 is not at the level of the best wines here. I suspect the 2005 will age gracefully for several decades to come, if not considerably longer. Tasted two times. Score: 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021 - 2045 01 April 2021
Tasted single blind at Southwold. This VCC seems to have closed down. The fruits is rather subdued on the nose although some decanting would have allowed it to blossom Quite tannic and masculine on the palate, good acidity, a slight savoury, earthy edge, rather angular on the finish but it does have good freshness and vitality. Good potential, but not suited to blind conditions where it does not have time to unfurl. (94+ Points) Score: 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 July 2009
Bright ruby-red. Very closed nose hints at licorice and nutty oak. Sweet and broad in the mouth, with a chocolatey ripeness but less energy and grip than the 2006. This is more mouthfilling, and more sexy today in the middle palate, but may ultimately be less complex. Or is it just more reserved today? Finishes with substantial tannins that call for at least several years of aging. (92+ points) Score: 92 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008
A stunning effort from Alexander Thienpont, the 2005 Vieux Chateau Certan (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an inky/blue/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous perfume of black olives, lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, pain grille, and oodles of truffles as well as creme de cassis. In the mouth, hints of chocolate and charcoal also make an appearance along with good acidity, fabulous purity, and a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. In keeping with the style of this terroir, the wine is reserved and restrained, but deep. It should develop magnificently, and age for 30-40 years. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 April 2008
A remarkable blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has produced a Medoc-styled Pomerol exhibiting a deep ruby/purple hue, a sweet bouquet of roasted herbs, licorice, toasty vanilla, and plenty of black currants as well as truffles. It is a rich, classic effort with abundant tannin, good acidity, and impeccable purity and balance. Always a restrained, reserved style of wine, but it delivers considerable complexity, and ages brilliantly. Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2030 30 April 2007
Sweet scents of mulberries, black currants, and cherries intertwined with notes of herbs, licorice, and pain grille emerge from this lovely Pomerol. The wine comes across as reserved, but there is impressive extract, tannin, and glycerin in the long finish. Made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 is a structured, elegant, potentially complex and noble Vieux Chateau Certan. Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2030+ 30 April 2006
Quite exceptionally energetic wine. Bright crimson - not one of the deepest colours - and wonderfully fresh, lively, racy wine that is beautifully balanced. Rich, broad yet not at all heavy - really rather like a racehorse at the peak of its form. Undoubtedly very ripe Merlot but Merlot with the greatest aspects of finesse. Already explosive. Lovely texture. Great lightness and life - complete. Alexandre Thienpont, who also did brilliantly in 2004, found his Cabernet Franc a bit austere in 2005 and has favoured Merlot in the blend for this magnificent grand vin. Score: 19 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2028 10 April 2006
Intense blackberry, chocolate and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with amazing texture of soft tannins and ripe fruit. All in balance. So long. Goes on and on. Loving and tender. What a red. This reminds me of 1950, although I wasn't around to taste it from barrel! I am amazed. Score: 95 - 100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006
After Alexandre Thienpont’s stunning 2004, VCC has done it again with an outstanding 2005. A very different style to the 2004 with a higher proportion of Merlot used (80%, with 20% Cabernet Franc). Lots of freshness and purity on nose some notes of wet earth and minerals. Full-bodied with very pure luscious fruit wrapped in velvet. Beautiful concentration and density of fruit without undue force. Absolutely gorgeous. Score: - Albany Vintners, - 01 January 1900

Tasting Notes

The 2005 Vieux Château Certan blossoms beautifully in the glass, but only after having been opened for several hours. Crushed flowers, mint, sweet herbs, anise and spice make a strong first impression. The 2005 is a VCC that makes its case more on finesse than power. I appreciate the understated, classy style quite a bit. Even so, the 2005 is not at the level of the best wines here. I suspect the 2005 will age gracefully for several decades to come, if not considerably longer. Tasted two times.

Score: 95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021 - 2045 01 April 2021

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This VCC seems to have closed down. The fruits is rather subdued on the nose although some decanting would have allowed it to blossom Quite tannic and masculine on the palate, good acidity, a slight savoury, earthy edge, rather angular on the finish but it does have good freshness and vitality. Good potential, but not suited to blind conditions where it does not have time to unfurl. (94+ Points)

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 July 2009

Bright ruby-red. Very closed nose hints at licorice and nutty oak. Sweet and broad in the mouth, with a chocolatey ripeness but less energy and grip than the 2006. This is more mouthfilling, and more sexy today in the middle palate, but may ultimately be less complex. Or is it just more reserved today? Finishes with substantial tannins that call for at least several years of aging. (92+ points)

Score: 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008

A stunning effort from Alexander Thienpont, the 2005 Vieux Chateau Certan (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an inky/blue/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous perfume of black olives, lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, pain grille, and oodles of truffles as well as creme de cassis. In the mouth, hints of chocolate and charcoal also make an appearance along with good acidity, fabulous purity, and a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. In keeping with the style of this terroir, the wine is reserved and restrained, but deep. It should develop magnificently, and age for 30-40 years.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 April 2008

A remarkable blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has produced a Medoc-styled Pomerol exhibiting a deep ruby/purple hue, a sweet bouquet of roasted herbs, licorice, toasty vanilla, and plenty of black currants as well as truffles. It is a rich, classic effort with abundant tannin, good acidity, and impeccable purity and balance. Always a restrained, reserved style of wine, but it delivers considerable complexity, and ages brilliantly.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2030 30 April 2007

Sweet scents of mulberries, black currants, and cherries intertwined with notes of herbs, licorice, and pain grille emerge from this lovely Pomerol. The wine comes across as reserved, but there is impressive extract, tannin, and glycerin in the long finish. Made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 is a structured, elegant, potentially complex and noble Vieux Chateau Certan.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2030+ 30 April 2006

Quite exceptionally energetic wine. Bright crimson - not one of the deepest colours - and wonderfully fresh, lively, racy wine that is beautifully balanced. Rich, broad yet not at all heavy - really rather like a racehorse at the peak of its form. Undoubtedly very ripe Merlot but Merlot with the greatest aspects of finesse. Already explosive. Lovely texture. Great lightness and life - complete. Alexandre Thienpont, who also did brilliantly in 2004, found his Cabernet Franc a bit austere in 2005 and has favoured Merlot in the blend for this magnificent grand vin.

Score: 19

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2028 10 April 2006

Intense blackberry, chocolate and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with amazing texture of soft tannins and ripe fruit. All in balance. So long. Goes on and on. Loving and tender. What a red. This reminds me of 1950, although I wasn't around to taste it from barrel! I am amazed.

Score: 95 - 100

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

After Alexandre Thienpont’s stunning 2004, VCC has done it again with an outstanding 2005. A very different style to the 2004 with a higher proportion of Merlot used (80%, with 20% Cabernet Franc). Lots of freshness and purity on nose some notes of wet earth and minerals. Full-bodied with very pure luscious fruit wrapped in velvet. Beautiful concentration and density of fruit without undue force. Absolutely gorgeous.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 01 January 1900

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