The 2020 La Gravette de Certan is a remarkable Bordeaux Blend that hails from the prestigious Pomerol region of Bordeaux, France. With an inky plum color that captivates the eye, this wine immediately commands attention. Upon first sip, one is greeted with tight tannins that slowly unravel to reveal a wine of great structure and depth.
Renowned wine critic Jane Anson describes this vintage as a serious Gravette that will benefit from another three to four years of aging. The concentrated flavors of cassis and bilberry fruits shine through, creating a wine that is more about structure than flesh at this stage. With a yield of 30hl/h and 50% new oak, this is a wine that promises immense potential and a finessed take on Pomerol in the 2020 vintage.
Jeff Leve, another esteemed reviewer, rates the 2020 La Gravette de Certan even higher, awarding it a score of 93. He describes the wine as medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant, and silky. The palate is treated to a delightful array of sweet, silky plums and cherries, accompanied by hints of cocoa and bright red pit fruits. Leve suggests that this wine can be enjoyed while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop, further highlighting its exceptional quality.
Decanter magazine echoes these sentiments, praising the wine for its blackcurrant and milk chocolate aromas. The palate is described as silky smooth, juicy, and clean, with a spiced backbone from the Cabernet. The wine's weight, concentration, and ripe, concentrated red cherries, blueberries, and blackcurrants make it immediately appealing, yet it maintains a serious edge with notes of liquorice and dark chocolate on the finish.
Jeb Dunnuck, a well-known wine critic, awards the 2020 La Gravette de Certan an impressive score of 95. Made predominantly from Merlot (85%) and complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), this wine showcases ripe black cherries, tobacco, leafy herbs, chocolate, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied, it is seamless and exudes a seductive allure. Dunnuck proclaims it to be a perfect wine for enjoying over the next 15 years, stating that he is unaware of a better second wine.
The 2020 La Gravette de Certan is further celebrated by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, which awards it a score of 91. This broad and demonstrative wine bursts with aromas of cherries, dark berries, licorice, cedar, and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a layered and textural experience, with firm yet ripe tannins, lively acidity, and an expansive finish.
Lastly, Wine Enthusiast rates this second wine from La Gravette de Certan with a score of 93. Produced from young vines, it showcases the dominance of Merlot, resulting in a juicy and perfumed wine. The balance is impeccable, with ripe and juicy black fruits that exhibit both sweetness and richness. Wine Enthusiast suggests that this wine will truly shine from 2026 onward.
Overall, the 2020 La Gravette de Certan is a wine that exemplifies the excellence of Pomerol. With its complex structure, concentrated fruit flavors, and potential for further development, this Bordeaux Blend is a true gem that will delight wine enthusiasts for years to come.