Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2009

Vault Wine: This wine is stored in our vault.

Overview of the Wine
Vieux Chateau Certan is the oldest growth in the parish of Pomerol. Its origins date back to the beginning of the 16th century when the Demay family, originally from Scotland, came to liveo n the property. The local vicinity takes its name from this old chateau. In 1858, the property was purchased by Charles Bousquet who built the buildings that stand to this day. In 1924, Georges Thienpont, a wine shipper from Etikhove in Belgium, bought the chateau that, since 1957, has been run by a company formed by the Thienpont heirs.

Grape / Blend
84% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2009 is balanced, concentrated and warm without being powerful. The Merlot is dense, rich, smooth and full and shows breed. It rolls around the tongue. The small amount of Cabernet Franc chosen to go into the first wine is all finesse and delicacy. It is ripe, complex, packed with flavor and very long on the palate. The Cabernet Sauvignon is lively, delicious and savory. Even though the proportion in the blend is small, it brings a touch of freshness that is essential to the final blend.

100 Points - James Suckling
This is a wine that had extreme intensity of electrifying tannins and acidity, with supercharged fruit. Full-bodied, yet agile and lively. It touches every taste bud on your palate. Chocolate mousse and fruit. I am lost for words. Legendary 1950 all over again. Try it in 2020.

99 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2009's nearly 14% natural alcohol, exquisite ripeness, and incredible complex bouquet of Asian spices, fruitcake, licorice, smoke, blackberries and black currants are to die for. A blend of 84% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses a viscous texture as well as a freshness and vibrancy that are remarkable given the wine’s weight, richness and potential massiveness. This extraordinary effort is one of the finest Vieux Chateau Certans made over the last sixty years. It will undoubtedly shut down in bottle, requiring a decade or more of cellaring. It should keep for 50 years thereafter. Proprietor Thienpont thinks it is a modern day version of the 1948.

97 Points - Wine Spectator 
This shows gorgeous silk and polish, brimming with beguiling plum, cherry eau de vie and red currant fruit flavors laced with supple toasty vanilla and cedar hints. But in the background brews a darker side, with loam, maduro tobacco and iron notes, which take over on the finish authoritatively. This feels like it will get a lot bigger before it fully melds—and that will be a while. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2035.

Product size: 750ml

Excluded from additional discounting.