100 Points for Vieux Château Certan

Vieux Château Certan has been making superb wines for decades. I have tasted VCCs from the 1940s and 1950s that are spectacular, particularly the 1945 and 1950. However, I believe that the property now is making as good or better wines – particularly its current released 2009. The wine, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, is always racy and complex. It’s never a blockbuster. It impresses with its combination of strength and finesse.

The 30-acres of vineyards are located just next door to Petrus and La Conseillante. I had to go to the winery this week and ask the winemaker Alexandre Thienpont what’s it like making a perfect 100-point wine with his 2009. Watch his response. He is one of the top winemakers of Bordeaux at the moment. 

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4 thoughts on “100 Points for Vieux Château Certan

  1. Rhoneman says:
    Hi James--

    Great video! It got me thinking of ways to pass the time until you publish your notes on the rest of the 09s...

    Can you tell us how many perfect 09s you tasted (without naming them, of course!)? It would be fun for us to start a thread in which we try to guess which wines knocked your socks off!
  2. James Suckling says:
    Great idea! I am going to write a blog today!
  3. johnnyee says:
    It's good to hear Alexandre talking about the wine and the vintage. I just hope to
    Be able to taste VCC '09 someday. Once again your emotions James speaks a thousand words!
    Awesome! Can't wait for the other 100 pointers! BTW, did you were able to taste Le Pin?
  4. James Suckling says:
    Johnny. I did. Excellent wine Le Pin 2009 but not the VCC!