2018 Vieux Chateau Certan Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
Reg: $395.00
$335.00
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ETA: Mar. 2025
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REVIEWS

DC 100 WE 100 JS 99 JD 99 JL 99 WA 99 TWI 99 JA 98
DC 100

Decanter, April 2019

(98-100) This is complex, precise and concentrated but tempered with stunning potential. There is so much flavour and juice here with crushed tobacco and liquorice root alongside richly textured raspberry and blueberry...
WE 100

Wine Enthusiast, April 2019

(98–100)Barrel Sample. While the tannins give this wine a firm character, it is the perfumed, ripe Cabernet Franc that is so expressive and gives the wine its structured, complex character. Spice from the wood aging...
JS 99

jamessuckling.com, March 2021

Blackberry and hints of plum with intense wet-earth and black-olive undertones. Bark and some iodine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and structure. The palate is so broad with super tannins. This is a powerful and...
JD 99

jebdunnuck.com, March 2021

The flagship 2018 Vieux Château Certan is based on 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc and was brought up in (I suspect) roughly 50% new French oak. It tips the scale at 14.5% natural alcohol, which is the same as the 2010...
JL 99

TheWineCellarInsider.com, March 2021

There is no hotter wine in Pomerol these days than Vieux Chateau Certan.2018 joins 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2019 in the pantheon of incredible vintages for VCC! The opaque colored wine explodes with dark red, black and...
WA 99

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, March 2021

(99+ points) The 2018 Vieux Château Certan is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, weighing in with 14.4% alcohol and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 77. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is...
TWI 99

The Wine Independent, February 2023

Vieux Chateau Certan 2018 has a deep garnet purple color. It needs swirling to unlock scents of baked black cherries, mulberries, and smoked meats, with underlying hints of redcurrants, violets, and iron ore. Medium to...
JA 98

janeanson.com, September 2021

Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont are deeply thoughtful, instinctive winemakers who spend most of their time outside in the vineyards, and prove once again here why VCC is such a well-loved Pomerol. Three years along and...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Pomerol
Vintage 2018
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 14.5%
Closure Cork

Vieux Chateau Certan, sometimes referred to among Bordeaux enthusiasts as “VCC”, is one of the oldest and most prestigious estates of the Pomerol appellation. The estate is located in the heart of the Pomerol plateau, just a few rows of vines away from the bell tower of Pomerol’s famous church. The vines are planted on the famed Gunz terrace with soils made up of large, round pebbles together with different clays over an iron-rich subsoil.

The vineyard covers 14 hectares (35 acres) in a single block, and includes 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon performs exceptionally well in this terroir and reaches perfect ripeness levels.

With its brilliant velvety color, outstandingly rich aromas, and the depth and subtlety of its flavors, Vieux Chateau Certan is regularly ranked by the world’s press and international tasting panels among the very top wines. It has naturally good concentration and repays cellaring for several years before drinking.

Introducing the 2018 Vieux Chateau Certan, a Bordeaux Blend that hails from the esteemed Pomerol region of Bordeaux, France. This wine embodies the essence of elegance and power, showcasing the incredible potential of the vintage. With a deep garnet-purple color that captivates the eye, this wine is a true work of art.

On the nose, the 2018 Vieux Chateau Certan offers a symphony of aromas that invite you to explore its depths. Blackberry and hints of plum take center stage, accompanied by intense wet-earth and black-olive undertones. Notes of bark and iodine add complexity, while a subtle touch of sandalwood lingers in the background. It is a captivating bouquet that reveals the wine's down-to-earth style and allows you to truly taste the essence of the soil.

As you take your first sip, you are immediately struck by the wine's superb depth of fruit and structure. The palate is broad and expansive, with super tannins that provide a solid backbone. This is a powerful and very structured VCC, exuding fantastic depth and muscle. The blue and black fruits dance on the palate, elegant yet rich, beautifully framed by exquisitely fine-grained tannins and perfectly knit acidity. The wine finishes with a mesmerizing display of minerals and exotic spices that seem to go on forever.

Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded the 2018 Vieux Chateau Certan an impressive score of 99 points, praising its depth of fruit and structure. Wine Enthusiast also bestowed a perfect score of 100 points, highlighting the wine's firm character and impressive weight of fruit. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 99+ points, describing it as an experience not to be missed. Other critics such as Jeff Leve, Decanter, Jeb Dunnuck, and Jane Anson have also recognized the exceptional quality of this wine, praising its complexity, concentration, and aging potential.

Crafted from 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Vieux Chateau Certan is a wine that demands patience and cellar aging. It is recommended to wait until at least 2027 to fully appreciate its old-vine character. However, for those who can't resist temptation, it can be enjoyed now with proper decanting.

In conclusion, the 2018 Vieux Chateau Certan is a wine that stands among the legends of Bordeaux. Its combination of elegance, power, and exceptional aging potential make it a true masterpiece. Whether you choose to savor it now or lay it down in your cellar for future enjoyment, this wine promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.