Vieux Chateau Certan 2011
- Vintage
- 2011
- Country
- France
- Region
- Bordeaux,Pomerol
- Size
- 750ml
- Rating
- WA91,WS94,WE96,ST93
- Grape
- Merlot,Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2011 Vieux Château Certan is deep-flavoured, deep-coloured and concentrated.
Merlot provided great finesse, body and pedigree, but the Cabernet Franc, with its wonderful complexity, ripeness, density and lovely length, gave the character to this vintage.
With the nature of its blend and its tannic balance, the 2011 Vieux Château Certan puts us in mind of the excellent 1983 and 1988 vintages, which were renowned for their long-ageing character.
After a gentle extraction and three weeks in contact with the skins, the wine was aged in barrels, three quarters of which were new. - Winemaker's Notes
A beautifully-perfumed wine with ripe, soft tannins and sweet fruit. It has density yet the tannins are so velvety and ripe. - WE96
Very deep and broad for the vintage, this sports ample toast and loam notes, showing remarkable polish and heft. A core of ganache, fig, boysenberry preserves and melted licorice waits in reserve. Offers a fleshy feel through the finish, with lingering loam and maduro tobacco details. Best from 2017 through 2032. 3,500 cases made. - WS94
The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2011 Vieux Chateau Certan offers a beautiful bouquet of plums, black cherries, cassis and hints of graphite as well as spice, an excellent texture and medium body. A success in this difficult vintage, it should age easily for 10-15 years. Yet after the trilogy of great wines in 2008, 2009 and 2010, few consumers are likely to pay much attention to this 2011. - WA91
Vieux Chateau Certan is the oldest growth in the parish of Pomerol. Its origins date back to the beginning of the 16th century when the Demay family, originally from Scotland, came to liveo n the property. The local vicinity takes its name from this old chateau. In 1858, the property was purchased by Charles Bousquet who built the buildings that stand to this day. In 1924, Georges Thienpont, a wine shipper from Etikhove in Belgium, bought the chateau that, since 1957, has been run by a company formed by the Thienpont heirs.