Pomerol, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
The 2011 Vieux Château Certan, which the Thienponts compare to 1983 and 1988, has a much lighter, simpler bouquet compared to the previous vintage. Maybe a bit conservative with tobacco-tinged black fruit, though it opens nicely with shavings of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, firm tannins that frame the black fruit laced with cracked black pepper and graphite. Vibrant and vivacious, this is drinking well but has the substance to age in bottle. A dark horse! Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
The 2011 Vieux Château Certan, which the Thienponts compare to 1983 and 1988, has a much lighter, simpler bouquet compared to the previous vintage. Maybe a bit conservative with tobacco-tinged black fruit, though it opens nicely with shavings of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, firm tannins that frame the black fruit laced with cracked black pepper and graphite. Vibrant and vivacious, this is drinking well but has the substance to age in bottle. A dark horse! Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
Quite animalistic, white pepper, tar, tobacco. Delicious and approachable right now.
Quite animalistic, white pepper, tar, tobacco. Delicious and approachable right now.
1 person found it helpfulDec 7th, 2018
Doug had this 9 years ago
Doug had this 9 years ago
1 person found it helpfulFeb 20th, 2016
Great potential, easily should get better.
Great potential, easily should get better.
Nov 14th, 2014From 1/2 bottle. Producer over vintage once again.
From 1/2 bottle. Producer over vintage once again.
Mar 12th, 2023
This is a new one for me, trying to grow in my experience with French wine Dark ruby colored. Oak, tar, tobacco, plum, black and red fruit. The oak overpowers the fruit, but just barely. Overall well structured with very supple tannins and a bit of acidity to hold it in balance. Fruit is ripe yet modest. Enjoyable for sure now after a short decant.
This is a new one for me, trying to grow in my experience with French wine Dark ruby colored. Oak, tar, tobacco, plum, black and red fruit. The oak overpowers the fruit, but just barely. Overall well structured with very supple tannins and a bit of acidity to hold it in balance. Fruit is ripe yet modest. Enjoyable for sure now after a short decant.
Feb 18th, 2022
Dan had this 9 years ago
Dan had this 9 years ago
Nov 3rd, 2015
