Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 98
The 2023 Vieux Chateau Certan is wonderfully complex and dynamic in the glass. The layers here are just remarkable. That sort of dimension is one of the qualities that was hard to come by in 2023. Dark blue-toned fruit, lavender, scorched earth, new leather and menthol soar, lending tons of vertical, explosive energy. Floral and savory overtones develop with air, adding further shades of nuance. What a gorgeous and complete wine this is.
Anticipated maturity: 2031-2063
Neal Martin 96
The 2023 Vieux Chateau Certan, which contains no Cabernet Sauvignon, has a sublime bouquet, beautifully defined, with blackberry, blueberry, graphite and light marine scents in the background. Very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins that lend this VCC structure. Quite “cool” in style, a healthy dash of cracked black pepper furnishes the prolonged finish, where the 18% Cabernet Franc is very expressive. To quote Alexandre Thienpont, very “restrained” in the most positive sense of that word.
Anticipated maturity: 2029-2055
Wine Advocate 97
The 2023 Vieux Chateau Certan has turned out beautifully, bursting with aromas of blackberries and mulberries mingled with notions of iris, licorice and burning embers. Medium- to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an elegantly unctuous attack that segues into a rich and succulent mid-palate, it’s a suave, seamless classic that will enjoy a wide drinking window. The 2023 is a blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc that checks in at 14% alcohol.
Anticipated maturity: 2027-2055
JancisRobinson.com 17.5
82% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc. 42 hl/ha. No Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year (blocked by the heat in August). Cask sample.Fresh, floral and complex. Sweet start then suave and smooth, the fruit crunchy and juicy. Ripe, fine tannic frame. Not the overt power of 2022 but structured and ageworthy all the same. (JL)
Anticipated maturity: 2034-2055
James Suckling 100
Perfect aromas of ripe, pristine blueberries, subtle black olives, raspberries, violets, minerals, lavender and sandalwood. The finesse, depth and grace are mesmerizing. It’s medium-bodied with incredible energy and length. A masterpiece in subtly. Can’t get better than this. 82% merlot and 18% cabernet franc. Lovely to drink now, but it will age beautifully. Wait until 2030.
The Wine Independent 97-99+
A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2060
