Vieux Château Certan - Pomerol 2001

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

par James Molesworth le 12/06/2018

This is grippy and earthy at first, with tobacco, warm stone, mulled currant and fig fruit notes. Settles down with time in the glass, showing more polish and a pretty violet detail through the finish. Drink now through 2027. 4,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/06/2004

A brilliant effort from Alexandre Thienpont, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc is a deep purple-colored, fleshy, layered effort offering a sweet nose of creosote, incense, Christmas spices, plenty of red and black fruits, and hints of licorice as well as new oak. Rich, medium to full-bodied, with tremendous purity in addition to nobility, give it two more years of cellaring and drink it over the next following 15-18 years.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/03/2004

Very subtle aromas of blackberries, chocolate and plums follow through to a full-bodied palate, with very silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. An excellent wine with great intensity for the vintage. Very long indeed. Winemaker and part-owner Alexandre Thienpont is a master. Best after 2009. 4,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2003

An unctuously-styled Vieux Chateau Certan, largely because of the high percentage of old-vine Merlot (80% along with 20% Cabernet Franc) that made it into the final blend, this deep ruby/purple-colored 2001 offers up notes of cherry liqueur, camphor, saddle leather and a hint of cedar. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with low acidity, ripe tannin, and an unctuous texture. A brilliant effort, this might be a case where the 2001 equals the 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.

Wine Advocate

92-95 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2002

The dens opaque purple-colored 2001, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, offers phenomenally sweet aromas of black cherry liqueur intermixed with charcoal, vanilla, new saddle leather, and a hint of fruitcake. It is full-bodied and opulently textured, with low acidity, ripe tannin, and a remarkably layered, unctuous texture that has more in common with the 2000 than 2001. Thienpont feels the unusual blend, with all of the old vine Merlot (from vineyards planted in 1932, 1942, and 1959), has given the wine a profound depth and unctuosity that even the 2000 does not possess. This is a splendid achievement! One of the stars of the vintage, Alexandre Thienpont has been at the top of his game since 1998. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.