Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

1990:
‘Rather majestic and intellectual. Broad, brûlée nose and on the palate more obvious acidity than the two other Pomerols in this flight of 1990s – but also more complex. Very grown up and sophisticated. Classy rather than simply sweet with something medicinal about it. Transparent, juicy and not the most concentrated – as though it had already received the memo about 21st-century lightening up. Opened out admirably in the glass.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18.5/20 (Aug 2018)

‘This was a very strong vintage for Vieux Chateau Certan. The 1990 reveals a deep garnet color to the rim along with a sweet bouquet of charcoal, licorice, roasted herbs, forest floor, and a meaty, truffle-like scent. A fleshy, full-bodied wine with exceptionally low acidity, plenty of melted tannin, and a long, layered finish, this beauty is close to full maturity, but it is in no danger of falling apart. It should keep for another 15+ years.’ - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Jun 2009)

‘The 1990 Vieux Château Certan has a mature colour. It has a lovely nose with freshly picked mint and menthol infusing the red fruit, precocious and yet perfectly controlled. The palate is medium-bodied and more sensual than the 1989 on this occasion. Lovely roundness here, this 1990 has a gorgeous texture with a weighty hickory and truffle-tinged finish that lingers. It becomes more and more gamey with aeration, and I suspect well-kept bottles will offer another 12-15 years of pleasure.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Jan 2020)

1996:
‘This is a vintage that Alexandre Thienpont described as being “saved from ruin.” A much more masculine, sous-bois inflected nose compared to the more precocious ‘95, with dried blood and cigar box at the forefront of the bouquet. Good definition though. The palate is foursquare with firm tannins, unyielding at first but mellowing nicely in the glass. Good depth, “correct” with blackberry and a touch of graphite. Nice crescendo in the mouth with hints of dried orange peel towards the finish. A very good wine considering how inconsistent Pomerols can be in this vintage. Drink 2012-2028.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Nov 2008)

‘Decadent and rich, with wild mushrooms, plum and hints of citrus fruit. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Complex, with toasted oak, coffee and ripe fruit. It goes on and on. Wonderful. Big surprise. Get it. One of the best Right Bank wines in 1996.’ – Wine Spectator, 93/100 (2007)

1998:
‘Relatively pale. Very very correct and taut. The left bank face of Pomerol. Glossy, correct. Very fine and muscular.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Mar 2006)

‘This is obviously one of Alexandre Thienpont’s favourite vintages under his tenure (so far) – no wonder he was disappointed when I told him the bottle was tainted. Sipped from another glass, this is patently developing a precocious bouquet brimming with cassis, blueberry and violet scents, spilling over the top of the glass. The palate is concentrated, silky smooth, viscous, almost opulent in style with a slightly lower level of acidity than I expected. A ravishing, Reubenesque finish, this is a decadent VCC that is turning out to be a generous wine. Drink 2012-2035+.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Nov 2008)

‘Rich and decadent on the nose, with raspberry jam and Indian spices. Full-bodied, with an almost dusty texture. Long and seamless, with beautiful, firm tannins and a racy finish. Wonderfully delicate sweet fruit on the finish. Needs a few more years to open. Best after 2011.’ – Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Jun 2009)