Der Vieux Château Certan 2014 präsentiert sich im Glas in tiefem Rubin mit dezent gereiftem Rand. In der Nase wirkt er zunächst kontrolliert – dann öffnet er sich mit schwarzer Kirsche, Pflaume, feiner Trüffel- und Unterholz-Würze, dazu Tabak, ein Hauch Zedernholz und eine kühle, florale Nuance, wie man sie bei VCC so schätzt.
Am Gaumen liefert der 2014er genau das, was man im Premium-Segment intern gern „saubere Prozessqualität“ nennt: präzise Frucht, feinkörnige, seidige Tannine und eine straffe Frische, die dem Wein Länge und Spannung gibt, ohne ihn in die „Athletik-Abteilung“ zu drängen. Die Aromatik staffelt sich elegant nach – dunkle Beeren, Kakao, Kräuterwürze, mineralische Anklänge – mit einem langen, harmonischen Finale.
Bewertungen
97
97 Punkte Robert Parker
Wine Advocate: "The Vieux Château Certan 2014 is a blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Franc, 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. Noticeably deep and clear in color, the nose takes time to “rev up” but stick with it because it eventually reveals exquisite pure blackberry and briary scents. It is not a powerful set of aromatics but they are so finely tuned and pretty. The palate is one of the best you will find this vintage: very precise and focused, here the intensity delivered by that Cabernet Franc, complex and cerebral like the best VCC’s. Truffle, blackberry, woodland aromas waft temptingly from the glass and there is the perfect balance of sweetness and reserve to beg another sip. Alexandre and his son, Guillaume Thienpont may have overseen the best wine of the vintage."
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97 Punkte Falstaff
"Sehr frischer Duft, Minze und nch Blättern duftender Merlot. Am Gaumen diskret, nicht im Übermaß weich, seidig, mit viel Saft und Struktur unterlegt, frisch und elegant, mit perfekt eingebundenem Alkohol. Immens mineralisch und trotz der Feinheit des Tannins mit intensivem Tannindruck."
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97 Punkte James Suckling
"This is so gorgeous with black truffles, stones and subtle blackberries. Black mushrooms, too. Full-bodied, so dense and deep with very silky tannins and an endless finish. The density of fruit is superb. Truly irresistible."
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97 Punkte Antonio Galloni
"One of the unquestioned stars of the vintage, the 2014 Vieux Château Certan soars out of the glass with aromatic intensity, bright acids and finely sculpted fruit. Cool, intense but very much reserved in the style of the year, the 2014 exudes class. The flavors are intense and vibrant throughout. Dark red and purplish-hued stone fruit, lavender, mint and spice lead into the striking finish. The 2014 is just as impressive today as it was from barrel. As always, Vieux Certan has the rare ability to confer power without excess weight. The 2014 is a magical bottle. Readers who can find it should not hesitate. The blend is back to classic proportions of 80 % Merlot and 20 % Cabernet Franc."
97
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent: "Deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 Vieux Chateau Certan is a little shy to start, offering up faint notes of candied violets and licorice opening out to a core of preserved plums and Christmas cake plus a waft of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate delivers a refreshing backbone and fine-grained tannins to support the taut, powerful black fruits, finishing long and earthy."
