100 Robert Parker
One of the wines of the vintage, the 2019 Vieux Château Certan unfurls in the glass with a striking bouquet of cassis and cherries mingled with notions of violets, loamy soil, sweet spices and incense. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's seamless and enveloping, with a fleshy core of beautifully vibrant fruit, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, this perfumed, sensual Vieux Château Certan is a remarkable achievement from Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont.
100 Robert Parker
One of the wines of the vintage, the 2019 Vieux Château Certan unfurls in the glass with a striking bouquet of cassis and cherries mingled with notions of violets, loamy soil, sweet spices and incense. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's seamless and enveloping, with a fleshy core of beautifully vibrant fruit, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, this perfumed, sensual Vieux Château Certan is a remarkable achievement from Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont.
98 James Suckling
Super-restrained and dark, concentrated blackcurrant on the nose, together with subtle licorice root, eucalyptus leaf and vibrant, earthy minerality. The rather austere character on the nose suggests a classy wine. The palate shows bright dark fruits with dense, ripe, large-grained and chewy tannins. Yet, super-refreshing and balancing acidity drives through the finish. Good, toasty and chocolatey aftertaste. All you expect from a top-class, young Pomerol. Best after 2035.
97 Wine Spectator
Allows glorious plum sauce, boysenberry puree and black cherry compote flavors to unfurl over a bed of velvety tannins, while subtle black tea, violet, alder and sweet tobacco notes flirt in the background. The finish is underscored by a subtle warm earth note, which adds latent length. A beauty. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. —J.M.
97 Wine Spectator
Allows glorious plum sauce, boysenberry puree and black cherry compote flavors to unfurl over a bed of velvety tannins, while subtle black tea, violet, alder and sweet tobacco notes flirt in the background. The finish is underscored by a subtle warm earth note, which adds latent length. A beauty. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. —J.M.