2001 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
75 % Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. ‘ Winter was very mild and rainy, resulting in early budbreak (again). Warm weather at the beginning of May led to even flowering during the last week of the month with impressive vigour of the vines at that stage. Then hot, dry weather from the second half of July tempered vine vigour and triggered a slow, well-balanced ripening of the grapes. September was bright and sunny. Harvest began on 20 September. ’ More intense, slightly more youthful colour than the 2000. Intense, savoury nose. Rich fruit with some notes of dried fruit. Still lots to come here – real structure! Dry finish after an extremely complex palate. (JR)
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2001 Vieux Château Certan has long been my preferred vintage compared to the millennial. This veers much more towards red fruit, hints of truffle and morels, and is more sensual than the 2000. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fresh and vivacious with a mineral core absent from the 2000. It is tensile and linear towards the finish. To use a word I utilized last time, there is athleticism in this wonderful Pomerol that has a long future ahead. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium.
The 2001 Vieux Château Certan is one of Alexandre Thienpont's favorite vintages, and it is easy to see why. It has a classy bouquet, brambly red fruit, quite luscious in style and aromatics that are determined to seduce. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone that will guarantee this as a long-term Pomerol. There is wonderful tension from start to finish, less sinewy than the 2000, more agile and one could say, "athletic". It is a wonderful wine that is now nipping at the heels of the previous vintage. (NM)
I've found a number of 2000s finally overtaking the 2001s this year, after a long time when the 2001 vintage was clearly showing better. But there are still moments when 2001 reigns, and this Vieux Château Certan is a case in point. Slowly unrolls, gathering in power as it goes, blackberry, damson and raspberry fruits, together with truffle, toasted almonds, tobacco leaf, ash. A great moment to open and enjoy this wine, made for sharing.
About the producer
The original Château at Vieux Château Certan dates back to around 1770 but the modern history of the estate begins in 1924 - the year that Belgian wine merchant Georges Thienpont purchased the property.