Ming L

9.2

One of the Thienpont “treelogy” (along with Le Pin and L’Hêtre), this L’if from the weak 2013 vintage highlights finesse, freshness, and soft tannins rather than fruits and depth. Notes of red currant, cranberry, licorice with a distinct rusty iron, mineral edge. The medium body is elegant and finely etched, with brisk acidity and silky texture. Mineral echoes on the long finish.

100% Merlot. — a month ago

Stein Ove Sandvik

9.7

This wine is just fantastic. Wish I bought two cases — 3 years ago

Lyndsey Wegner

9.0

Easy drinking Bordeaux that went great with our French food, from Escargot and Duck Confit Tacos, to Chicken Dijonnaise and Scallops. It felt lighter and brighter with notes of plum and dark berries, tannins softened by acidity, slight earth with a chocolate finish. — 5 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

8.9

The poor man’s Chateau Le Pin, new property by J Thienpont and 2016 is first vintage. Really good and elegant merlot with a dollop of cab franc. Fresh and balanced, hints fo dark fruits and flowers, dar and red fruits, very polished tannins. Great deal at this price point. Drink or hold. — 5 years ago

with Adriana

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I purchased this one in futures, likely in spring of 06 & delivered in late 07 to Spring of 08. Parked in my storage since then.

As it was then, 2005 was a grand vintage as acclaimed by critics. So, that is when you buy some fringe producers. Buy 2nd Bordeaux wines from excellent producers to fringe regions/producers. More often than not, you’ll find really good value as is the case here. $20 on release I think.

Long coravined two separate glasses.

The nose shows a touch of v/a, but nothing offensive. Mostly…it is good old fashion Bordeaux funkiness. There is mushrooms, soft cedar, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, poached strawberries, mid berry cola, anise to licorice, graphite, tobacco, sandalwood, steeped tea, forest florals that are dark and in a violet frame.

The palate shows no sign of being tired. The fruits still fresh, lush, round & ripe; brambly blackberries, blackberries, black plum skin, poached strawberries, raspberry hues, noticeable, moist, grey, volcanic clay, some chocolate pudding, (it is Saint Emilionish), mid berry cola/licorice, dry tobacco, lead pencil, volcanic ash, dry top soils/crushed limestone, dark spice with mid intensity, some black pepper notes, soft, even layered baking spices-clove, hints of nutmeg & cinnamon, understated vanillin, moist herb notes, dark, rich, earth w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh & withering flowers/red roses, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent tension-structure-length with en elegant, round finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on clay & gentle spice.

If stored as I have, will hold a few more yrs and last another 7-8 yrs. You could make a case for 92 here.

Now some history on a producer likely many have not heard of/embraced. From their site:

This Flemish wine merchant family invested since 1924 in the Pomerol vineyard of Vieux Château Certan and in 1920 with Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion (sold in 1935).

The following generation, in 1946, George and Monica Thienpont, coming from their natal Flanders, moved into Puygueraud, restored the XVth Century chateau. After a long pause in polyculture, undertook the reconstruction of the vineyard whereby the first vintage would see the day in 1983.

In 1981, Nicolas Thienpont, with his father, engaged in the transition between a production oriented viticulture to one of excellence. Since 1983, the first vintage year mark, this approach has continued.

Since 2009, Nicolas and his son Cyrille Thienpont, have worked hand-in-hand for the crafting of this wine that over the last 30 years has become the flagship of the Francs Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation and a veritable jewel of Bordeaux.

Photos of; Chateau Puygueraud, Director-Owner Cyrille Thienpont.

#DSLounge — 3 months ago

David Valenti

9.1

Earth, coffee, ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, salted caramel. Full to medium-bodied with softened tannins, hyper agile on the palate. Amazing. Artwork by Stéphane Derenoncourt. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2019 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 23 after light showers the previous day. "We dared to add some Cabernet Sauvignon in 2019, which gives complexity," Alexandre Thienpont remarks, "but the Cabernet was 'killed' in 2020." It has a much more discrete bouquet than the 2018, unfolding with truffle-tinged black fruit. There are fewer marmalade scents than I noticed a couple of years ago, but there is absolutely stunning delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, like a cousin of the superlative 2016 in many ways, but it may be silkier towards the finish. Elegant yet paradoxically intense, this is VCC at full flight. And it's only on its opening pages! Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— 2 years ago

Peter Zandbergen

9.4

19.20.21
Felt privileged to get an early taste of this hidden gem at a Thienpont tasting. Served from magnums. Too young, obviously, to show it's full potential. — 3 years ago

Will Stanley

9.1

Dark and alluring, the 2018 Chateau Alcée from Castillon is a modern, plush Bordeaux from winemaker Nicolas Thienpont. Sporting a sensual nose of boysenberry, plum, anise and black truffle, the palate is supple and generous with rich flavours of dark chocolate and coffee liqueur. The finish is quite dry with a tug of graphite and a touch of heat. I paid £22 for this wine though it’s significantly less expensive en primeur, and I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed with a case in the cellar. — 5 years ago

Ken Z

8.9

Drank 10/13/20.
Nose on the light to medium side with plum, gravel, and fig. Black fruit and soil dominate the palate. Tannins mostly resolved at this stage. Finish is dry and falls off a bit quickly. Drink up, as this will not improve further.
3/21/8/4/3 +50 = 89 pts. — 6 years ago