2020 Vieux Chateau Certan - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com – 98 pts – GH: *A pure, classy, understated VCC that manages to be elegant and delicate while hinting its potential for glamour and star power. Coiled and tightly knitted with rich and ripe black fruit flavours; currants, plums, figs and blackcurrants with a scintillating energy and grip. Effortlessly stylish yet beguiling, more of a sleeping beauty right now, concentration is clear with such detail to the fruit, well integrated tannins and thrilling acidity, but delivered sleekly. Confident winemaking on show, a wine that has been 'crafted for our children and grandchildren' says Alexandre Thienpont.* - 01/2023

Falstaff Magazin – (97-99) pts – PM: *Strahlende Frischfrucht, Waldbeeren, pfeffrige Töne, beeindruckend klar, nuanciert und intensiv. Perfekt reifer Cabernet Franc. Im Mund ultraseidige Gerbstoffe, cremig eingebunden, kultivierte, perfekt integrierte Säure, die Extraktspannung wird saftig aufgelöst. Der ganze Wein ist fein und intensiv in einem, mineralisch grundiert, mit integriertem Alkohol, ein Wein mit Dichte und Druck, aber komplett auf Finesse angelegt, sehr lang.* - 05/2021

WeinWisser – 20/20pts – GL, TW: *Betörendes Bouquet, Alpenheidelbeere, Jasmin, Lakritze, Glycin, Brombeergelee und Mineralik. Am sublimen Gaumen mit einer Textur wie Samt und Seide, kakaoartigem Tannin, tänzerischer Rasse sowie einem perfekt geformten Körper. Im katapultartigen Finale Holundergelee, Brasiltabak und tiefschürfende Mineralik, weniger hedonistisch, mehr intellektuell im Vergleich zu 2015, erklimmt nun (wie zu erwarten) die Bestnote. Warum der VCC dieses Jahr so gut sei, wollte ich wissen. «Zum einen lag das am trockenen Sommer und dass (fast) kein Wasser im Boden gespeichert war, sonst wäre der Wein zu fett beziehungsweise zu hoch im Alkohol und hätte Frische verloren, es war nicht mein Fehler,» fügt Alexandre ironisch an. Ein tadelloser und großer VCC. Wir sind schon auf den 2022er gespannt, den wir in Kürze verkosten werden.* – 03/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 18++/20pts – JL: *Deep, intense colour. Lovely open expression of fruit on the nose with floral notes and plenty of lift and relief. Palate ripe but vinous and sappy, the tannins finely honed offering a velvety texture. Contained power and concentration behind. Slight glow but remains digeste. Another top year.* - 04/2021

Vinous.com – 99 pts – AG: *The 2020 Vieux Château Certan is a wine of total harmony and finesse. Absolutely nothing is out of place. Supple and seamless, the 2020 is an infant, but it is so impressive. Crème de cassis, lavender, mocha and licorice are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass, but more than anything else, the 2020 is a majestic Pomerol that will thrill those lucky enough to own it. There's not much else to say. The 2020 spent 18 months in barrel, 65% new.* - 12/2022

Vinous.com – 97 pts – NM: *The 2020 Vieux Château Certan was showstopping from barrel sample and, now, in bottle? The nose is exquisitely delineated with perfumed black fruit, crushed rock, hints of pencil box, and a very faint licorice scent in the background. Wonderful focus. The palate has marvelous definition, surfeited with tension from the start. It is a little granular in texture, reminiscent of the 2010 at this same early juncture, magnificent, life-affirming salinity and pepperiness fanning out beautifully on the lace-like finish. It's a profound Pomerol that will age effortlessly over many years. Super-bon. Alexandre Thienpont compared it to the 1945. This is cheaper and easier to find.* - 12/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 100 pts – JL: *An extraordinary effort, the wine is almost opaque in color. The haunting perfume offers a bouquet of flowers, black, red and blue fruits, chocolate, spice, espresso and hints of truffles on the nose. Incredibly concentrated, but equally light on its feet, the wine is effortless to taste. With polished, velvet textures and fruits that express purity coupled with spice, chocolate, wet earth and sensuality, the finish crosses the 60 second mark and keeps on going! This is a youthful look at one of the future legendary vintages for Vieux Chateau Certan. If this is your thing, and if you have the extra income, buy it now as prices will only rise from here. Drink from 2027-2065.* - 03/2023