A rare 100-point Bordeaux from the heralded 2010 vintage. Extremely limited. 100 Points Decanter (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: "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." |
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The 2010 Vieux Château Certan has a more modern bouquet compared to its peers. There is plenty of high quality new oak that slightly masks the fruit, although it does not overwhelm and should be completely subsumed with bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. This is very well balanced, though I would have liked a little more substance and grip on the finish. Very fine and classy, but maybe it could have been better? Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2020)
The 2010 Vieux Château Certan has a more modern bouquet compared to its peers. There is plenty of high quality new oak that slightly masks the fruit, although it does not overwhelm and should be completely subsumed with bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. This is very well balanced, though I would have liked a little more substance and grip on the finish. Very fine and classy, but maybe it could have been better? Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2020)
9.7Greg Gregory
Put away and forget about it.
Put away and forget about it.
9.3Louis Schofield
Sommelier/Wine Merchant East End Cellars
Clean, ripe, full-bodied
Clean, ripe, full-bodied
9.0Peter Yeung
Little earthy, meaty nose with a high toned palate of ripe black fruit
Little earthy, meaty nose with a high toned palate of ripe black fruit
9.2Arden Barnett
Commanderie de Bordeaux. Theme was BBQ and 2010 vintage. Fantastic event. One of those once in a lifetime wines. Simply sublime
Commanderie de Bordeaux. Theme was BBQ and 2010 vintage. Fantastic event. One of those once in a lifetime wines. Simply sublime
9.8Alaina Molinaro
Loved it! First glass was amazing - velvet, floral, and. feminine. Opened up nicely became more a little more acidic/tannic
Loved it! First glass was amazing - velvet, floral, and. feminine. Opened up nicely became more a little more acidic/tannic
9.5Rajat Parr
Founder Sandhi Wines & Domaine de la Côte, Evening Lands Vineyards, Seven Springs & Maison l'Oree
Oooooh...early on one of favorite producers. Hope you have more for 20-30 years down the road. It will be sooooooo worth it.
Oooooh...early on one of favorite producers. Hope you have more for 20-30 years down the road. It will be sooooooo worth it.
9.6WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.