Chateau Vieux Ch Certan   Vieux Ch Certan

2014 Vieux Ch. Certan

By Chateau Vieux Ch. Certan

2014 Vieux Ch. Certan from Chateau Vieux Ch. Certan, Pomerol, Bordeaux

In the pantheon of Bordeaux wines, the 2014 Vieux Ch. Certan from Chateau Vieux Ch. Certan stands as a beacon of meticulous cultivation and vinification amidst the Pomerol landscape. This vintage is a study in balance, arising from a year that started with despondence yet triumphed with an Indian summer, nurturing the grapes to a level of ripeness that defied initial predictions.

 

Reflections of a Challenging Season

The journey of the 2014 vintage was riddled with challenges; a damp, cool summer provoked anxieties of under-ripeness. However, September’s salvation with glorious warmth and optimal conditions ushered in serene ripening. The 2014 blend, predominantly Merlot with touches of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, exemplifies the adaptive prowess of Pomerol’s terroir.

 

A Vintage Tale of Elegance and Structure

This climatic rollercoaster imparted a distinctive duality upon the 2014 Vieux Ch. Certan — an interplay between tension and generosity. In its current repose, the vintage unravels tapestries of dark fruit couched in fine-grained tannins. There is an enveloping elegance to each pour, coupled with an undercurrent of vigour synonymous with longevity in the cellar.

The articulation of terroir is profound; earthy undertones coupled with hints of truffle and violet speak volumes of the Pomerol influence — a complexity befitting a wine poised for significant development over time.

 

Cultivation for Connoisseurs

For enthusiasts and investors alike, the 2014 Vieux Ch. Certan represents an articulate investment — broader in its approachability than its older siblings yet maintaining a lineage of distinction that solidifies its worth among connoisseurs. This particular expression articulates both an immediate pleasure in its supple texture and layered bouquet as well as an anticipated ascension through considered ageing.

 

In Summary

The 2014 vintage’s narrative from Chateau Vieux Ch. Certan is one of resilience against the odds, delivering a wine that bespeaks finesse and promises reward for those seeking depth and evolution in their collection. In essence, it is not merely an offering from Pomerol but a vibrant testament to Bordeaux’s storied legacy — one to savour now or treasure for years to come.

Current market price

$2,700.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

101.25

Scores and tasting notes

95-97

No tasting note available.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate

95-96

No tasting note available.

James Suckling - Jamesuckling.com (04/2015)

94-97

No tasting note available.

Wine Spectator - The Wine Spectator

96

The 2014 Vieux Chateau Certan is a blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked in three stages: 19-20 September, 29 September to 2 October, and 7 and 8 October. The yields came in at 38.7 hectoliters per hectare with 13.4% alcohol. It was one of my stars of the vintage and now in bottle, I find no reason to change that. It is endowed with an exquisite bouquet, really one of the best I encountered throughout my tastings: perfumed blackberry, wild strawberry, cold stone and wilted rose petals. Like in barrel, it is not powerful, yet it is blessed with wondrous precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and fine tannin, a slightly masculine VCC due to its linearity and precision. There is tension here from start to finish, a sophisticated and cerebral Pomerol that transcends the growing season. It is a totally different kettle of fish to the 2015 (and doubtless the pre-natal 2016). This is unashamedly classic in style, fanning out towards the mineral-rich finish with great frisson and energy. A cellar without the 2014 Vieux-Château-Certan would be a great pity.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 31 March 2017

95

No tasting note available.

Tim Atkin - TimAtkin.com (04/2015)

18.5

No tasting note available.

Jancis Robinson - JancisRobinson.com

Vintage performance