100 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 Robert Parker
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.
As I wrote in my barrel tasting notes, the 2009 ranks alongside four of the legendary vintages of Vieux Chateau Certan’s ancient past, 1945, 1947, 1948 and 1950. It is undoubtedly a cleaner wine than those older vintages, and the selection process under proprietor Alexandre Thienpont was far more severe in 2009 than it would have been sixty years ago.
99 Robert Parker
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.
As I wrote in my barrel tasting notes, the 2009 ranks alongside four of the legendary vintages of Vieux Chateau Certan’s ancient past, 1945, 1947, 1948 and 1950. It is undoubtedly a cleaner wine than those older vintages, and the selection process under proprietor Alexandre Thienpont was far more severe in 2009 than it would have been sixty years ago.
19 Rene Gabriel
84 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc, 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon. 41 hl/ha. Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Bereits beim Einschenken duftet es von einem Meter nach Caramel und Pralinen, die Nase beginnt dann auch wie Nutella doch dann kommt die richtige Rafinesse von malzigen, fetten Grundaromen die diesem VCC ein derartig fülliges Bouquet bescheren wie man es seit dem grossaritgen 98er nicht mehr gewohnt war. Im Gaumen setzt sich diese opulente Fülle fort und oben zeigt sich viel Schmelz und innen eine tolle Konzentration mit einer bündelten, warmen malzig-schokoladigen, gewaltigen Länge. Fraglos gross. Auf dem Fact-Sheet das bei der Primeurprobe herum lag stand: "The 2009 is balanced, concentrated and warm without beeing massive". Bei 13.7 Volumenprozent ein Kunststück - das aber fraglos gelingt.
warten (2018 - 2038)
19 Rene Gabriel
84 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc, 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon. 41 hl/ha. Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Bereits beim Einschenken duftet es von einem Meter nach Caramel und Pralinen, die Nase beginnt dann auch wie Nutella doch dann kommt die richtige Rafinesse von malzigen, fetten Grundaromen die diesem VCC ein derartig fülliges Bouquet bescheren wie man es seit dem grossaritgen 98er nicht mehr gewohnt war. Im Gaumen setzt sich diese opulente Fülle fort und oben zeigt sich viel Schmelz und innen eine tolle Konzentration mit einer bündelten, warmen malzig-schokoladigen, gewaltigen Länge. Fraglos gross. Auf dem Fact-Sheet das bei der Primeurprobe herum lag stand: "The 2009 is balanced, concentrated and warm without beeing massive". Bei 13.7 Volumenprozent ein Kunststück - das aber fraglos gelingt.
warten (2018 - 2038)
97 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. 4,300 cases made. –JM
97 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. 4,300 cases made. –JM
