Vieux Chateau Certan 2014

An iconic Pomerol renowned for its extraordinary elegance, offering aromas of black cherry, plum, violet, truffle, graphite, cedar, and exotic spice. Rich yet impeccably balanced, it combines velvety tannins, exceptional depth, freshness, and remarkable longevity with every vintage.

Food Pairing: Pair with beef tenderloin, roast lamb, duck breast, venison, truffle dishes, wild mushrooms, or aged hard cheeses.

97 Points - James Suckling

Eucalyptus leaf and licorice, coffee grounds, balsamic tones, milk and mint, vibrant cassis and restrained chocolate. The attack is silky and elegant with more moderate extraction and lifted acidity, providing a vibrant, medium- to full-bodied palate and a long, dark aftertaste. Tight, almost austere finish, but tense and polished. Drink or hold.

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast

This is a rich, finely structured wine. It is highly perfumed, packed with black fruits and has a dark, firm texture. At the same time, the acidity is intense and the structure tight, suggesting a wine to age. Beautifully endowed with great fruit, it will take time to develop. Drink from 2026.

96 Points - Wine Spectator

Gorgeous, with a core of remarkably pure blackberry, raspberry and black currant fruit wrapped up in a fresh tobacco leaf accent. Everything is carried by silky yet persistent tannins, while the finish lets suave warm stone and singed juniper details fill in. Shows some coiled-up energy, which should make for fun cellaring. Best from 2020 through 2035. 3,167 cases made.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2014 Vieux Chateau Certan is a blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 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. It was one of my stars of the vintage and now in bottle, I find no reason to change that. It is endowed with an exquisite bouquet, really one of the best I encountered throughout my tastings: perfumed blackberry, wild strawberry, cold stone and wilted rose petals. Like in barrel, it is not powerful, yet it is blessed with wondrous precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and fine tannin, a slightly masculine VCC due to its linearity and precision. There is tension here from start to finish, a sophisticated and cerebral Pomerol that transcends the growing season. It is a totally different kettle of fish to the 2015 (and doubtless the pre-natal 2016). This is unashamedly classic in style, fanning out towards the mineral-rich finish with great frisson and energy. A cellar without the 2014 Vieux-Château-Certan would be a great pity.