I have always found year in year out, that VCV is the most underated pomerol from the plateau, and this mat vintage proves the point. Very fine scents of red and blue berries, with just a tad of very fine oak, the mouth is still very primary with geogeous red and blueberry flavors, with nascent complexity, in a soft structure. I very much like the silky mid palate, ending in an elegant finish. Give this beauty another 10 years and it should reach great aromatic complexity. It will never be a blockbuster but a wine of finesse and complexity. Thank you D.
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A completely different wine but so good. Bottle no 3 out of a case of 12. Mostly primary. Very floral nose. Delicious raspberries on the palette. I find this wine very Burgundian and looking forward to tracking its evolution.
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I took time to post and write down a note, as I needed to have better insight, not used to Bordeaux blends so much anymore but after 2 days and many tastings this really stood out !! Even for friends who had Lafitte 2005 earlier this week.
We tasted also Le Pin and Lafleur on more recent vintages but that guy ...
So here are the notes, Nose is spicy, a black peppercorn and dried tomato touch, oak is very integrated, blueberry but it's a lot more spicy than fruity, and tertiary notes come in with a little truffle later.
Palate is vivid, with acid drive, salty and fresh, long, elegant, integrated tannins, and the aftertaste will stay long after the visit is finished ... One gem here
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This was beautiful, but it still requires time. Decanted for 2hrs, initially very red fruited, slightly herbal, beautiful nose, but not much else to it. After about 4 hours it closed back up and became relatively tannic. After 6 hours it opened back up again, seemingly transformed with blueberry, dark black fruits, perfectly smooth tannins, it was glorious. Probably the best wine I’ve drank in the last 6 months, Palmer 2019 was probably the last one on this level. No rush to drink these, I think they’ll get better, but also irristiable now; but the next one you open, make sure to give it 5/6 hours for now to make the most of it.
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Decanted over 5 hours, plus saved an extra glass for the next day. First day was fruit and oak, but was ever evolving no single sip was the same, fruit was slightly brambly, bit of chocolate and vanilla, tannic and low acid with a long finish, still had a very nice mouthfeel. Felt like this was much more fruit forward on day 2, no vanilla or chocolate with more red fruited strawberry and cassis, was very nice, preferred it on day 2, will sit on my remaining bottles at least another 5 years. This was my first time having the grand vin and it did not disappoint as it was very nice, one of those special wines that really evolves a lot as you drink it and is hard to describe.
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Decanted for 3 hours. Gorgeous. It was a few days ago so I wont right much, however was easy to pick up a high quality producer from Pomerol from the line up (Blind). Still needs time though.
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A really amazing bottle that performed well from the pop. I decanted for about 3 hours before pouring this at a broad 2014 tasting (but no other bordeaux, oddly).
Violet florals, blue and purple fruits, medium plus weight on the palate. This is both expressive and classic/sturdy at the same time. Beautiful depth with a velvety texture and some savory underpinning, maybe a hint of pyrazine that had folks clued in to Pomerol. I was really impressed with it.
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Took a little while blind but eventually was able to nail it (only good call of the day). This is so refined and elegant, seamless from start to finish. Shows it's cab franc influence well, with savory tobacco notes and a little herbal flair mixed in. Palate again is seamless, elegant, with a cashmere texture. Hard not to love. Drinking very well for a young bdx.
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Expected more of a wow-factor. A bit restrained. Properly made though. Will it develop into something better? Lost out strongly against a Rauzan-Ségla 2005 served at the same time.
Pulled this 375 to celebrate my daughters birthday & vintage as well as America. Happy 4th! Wanted a bordeaux and kind of forced it with this pull.
Decanted for 1.5 hours. The wine is perfectly built with a lean towards freshness as it is my favorite 2014 (although that in itself is not saying much) as it is a solid food wine (although drinking it solo). This is less coiled and locked than the last time but I should have listened to my note from 1.25 years ago. Hold off on opening for another few years to gain a bit more complexity and for the acid to settle in a bit more.
2.5 hours in, the mouthfeel becomes more creamy and velvety but still needs time in the cellar.
Sour blackberry, dark red sour cherries, cranberry, black raspberries, hint of nondescript citrus (I know makes no sense- like an Orange rind wirhout the orange) dark earth, rock and a laser finish that goes on for more than I would have expected.
HOLD UNTIL 2026 - 2028 before pulling another.
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Loved the freshness and minerality. Enjoyed it quite a bit more than 2019 that I had recently, though that's really not a good comparison given 2019 is a baby.
medium to full-bodied character, rich dark fruit and well-integrated tannins.
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Vieux Chateau Certan 2014-2017 tasted side -by-side. No detailed notes taken. Winner was the 2016 as it had the most finesse and a precision and purity unmatched by the other vintages. The other vintages were a bit less exciting today (all 92/93pts) but all have potential for more. Once thing that was striking: at least this young, I couldn‘t find the big common denominator. Blind, I wouldn‘t have guessed these wines to be all from the same Chateau.
2014 - 93pts: I like this wine quite a lot and rated it 95pts before. But this bottle was a bit more muted (it was a root day). Constantly evolving this was all about minerality and soil notes with a fresh, a bit timid fruit component. With time some coffee notes got this to a higher level. Quite elegant but without the depth (15/16) or precision (16) of great vintages.
2015 - 93pts: This was the most sensual, smooth, satiny wine with loads of ripe fruit and a bit too much spices for my taste. While this can become a great vintage, it is a bit too much today for my taste. A bit too Napa-esque. The alcohol is quite well covered. My guess is that once this sheds its baby fat and better integrates, this could become a great wine in the 95+ point category.
2016 - 95pts: This wine perfectly reflected the elegance, depth and hyper purity of the vintage. That extra kick of freshness and all the cooler blue fruit notes got me. This could become a masterpiece and has a lot of upside. It was a joy to drink today and hence the 95pts but once mature, this should reach the 97+ pts category.
2017 - 92 pts: In the best moments this showed great promise with fine pure red fruit, coffee and minerality. But throughout the evening this never fully opened up but especially never fully integrated well. I‘ve had some other 2017s which are drinking exceptionally well today. This bottle didn‘t. 91/92pts today but I see higher potential for this.
Decanting: All wines needed time to open up and improved markedly with air. I would at least go for two hours in the decanter for all of them.
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Amazing Bordeaux To Mark A Special Birthday (Noizé, London): Whilst clearly a young wine this is not unready and really will be belter in a decade's time. Nose opens out with some subtle mintiness some Earl Grey tea leaves, some hints of dark chocolate Bounty and some freshly carved and juicy rare venison. Later some steeped Morello cherries too. Palate is subtly spicy, mouth coating and oh-so more-ish. Impressive length. Chapeau.
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One of two underperforming (IMO) ‘14 Pomerols that we had tonight. I am guessing this could be down to wine preparation (I am not exactly sure if or when it was decanted). Oak quite evident. Pure red fruit. Bodes well for the future but not great on the night.
Couldn't help myself and put a coravin in this. Sipped on it and while it did improve with time in the glass, it is still too young even with lots of air the finish is a bit too acidic even if not overly tannic. But, there is a lot going on here. The cabernet franc seems to be dominant on this one with a hint of truffle and smoke where the nose is more evolved than the palate at this point and just enough of the fruit coming through which makes it enjoyable even now so I wound up opening and drinking over a couple of days. When this reaches maturity, I will probably regret having opened one of these so young. I do have 5 left so HOLD! 93-95++
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HDH auction at avec River North (Chicago, IL): Stunning, archetypal Bordeaux from a critically unacclaimed vintage. A brilliant and complex mix of pyrazines and fruit; just an outstanding classically-styled Pomerol. Not quite as merlot-driven as I would expect for VCC. I'm a huge fan of this and will be looking to put some in my cellar.
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A generous nose of well-defined blackcurrant, plums and dark fruits, with delicious hints of dark chocolate. Super-smooth tannins and decent acidity sit alongside a well-integrated touch of oak on the long finish. Classically proportioned Pomerol.
Tasted after 2011, 2012, 2013. Certainly the best in this line-up (2012 had a slight cork taint for me). Quite accessible already. Generous, ripe, nicely balanced and quite complex. Polished tannins but good structure. Vibrant finish. Quite persistent. Drink or keep. 93-94+
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Perfect provenance and cork with no tartrate. Riedel sommelier bdx glassware. Lovely deep blood red with high climbing (14%) legs. Bright nose of red fruit with a touch of cigar box and a faint touch of tar. The mouthfeel was excellent for this medium bodied merlot with a high toned taste of kirsch liquer, red fruit compote, fig and rhubarb. Excellent mouthfeel firm acidity and a mouth gripping tooth coating fine tannic finish. As long as it doesn’t get any thinner it will probably be better in 5 yrs. 94/100
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I score this high as its a good wine, and all in proportion. But a bit four square. Cooler vintage fruit that needs a lot more time (10 years) to develop interesting complexity (which I think you can clearly see). I was hoping for some massive mispricing on this 2014, and I'm not seeing it here right now. Will try the 2011 next. Excitment level this is maybe a 93, but technically its a 94.
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Wow.This is hedonism at its best ! Highly perfumed,the nose just explodes out of the glass,wafting pure aromas of blackberry liqueur,freshly cut flowers,wild strawberry,exotic spice and subtle minerality.Rich and luscious,with an almost Burgundian elegance,there is such a beautiful purity of fruit in this wine and the tannins are so juicy.It glides across the palate with a silky/smooth mouthfeel,velvet texture and a spicy sweet long finish.A sophisticated and cerebral Pomerol.
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Nose took awhile to unfurl but eventually delivered red-fruit with background notes of iodine, smoldering embers and fresh loam. Very young still but the quality is evident. Fairly high-toned with lots of energy, good length and a tannic backbone for further cellaring. Another 5 years should work wonders.
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Handful of wines with great company on a Wednesday - no notes just quick impressions. 2001 Haut Brion, 2010 Belair Monange and 2014 VCC. The VCC for my palate is still under performing (which is frustrating) and while some reviews below have indicated it’s waking from its slumber - perhaps I over decanted and missed the window? Double decanted and 4 hours in decanter. The wine was more harsh and closed. I will leave these for 5 years and officially give up on opening one again (if anyone has the perfect recipe on how to wake this thing up, please let me know).
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Decanted for 4.5 hours and consumed over the next four. Nose of blueberry, charcoal, fresh seawater and hay. Bright red and some cool blue fruit on the palate. Cherry, sweet blueberries, plum, wet stone, minerality and some graphite. Fine tannins throughout for a very smooth mouthfeel. The finish goes on and on with beautiful fresh and mouthwatering acidity.
Continued to improve to the last sip. Bouquet continued to open. Had a little with very rich boeuf bourguignon which overpowered the wine a little.
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Decanted for about 1.5 hours. Black ruby colour. Super lush and powerful nose! Black and red berries, charcoal, suede, India ink, hemlock needle, dried herbs and pierre concasse. Entry is lush, fruity, full, super smooth and with perfect acidity and submerged tannins. Wow! Just wow! Lashing of black and red berries, camphor, roasted herbs, suede, graphite and black minerals. So smooth and lush and ripe and exotic! Mouth coating with a long, tingly fruit-filled finish. Spectacular! Call me over-enthusiastic, but I'm going with a 96 on this one! And with up side potential!
Tasted at Chateau - Fragrant with blue/red fruits, florals. Medium bodied, red fruited, fine, light tannins, spice, vibrant acidity carries a decent length finish. This is lovely and already approachable.
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Great night with friends and good wine- VCC, L Barton, Scarlett Reserve and Kosta Brown.
Call out- VCC is one of my favorite Bordeaux wines and relative to its peers is substantially under valued and priced (is the peers are over priced but that is an argument for another day).
So when VCC is in the best vintages it’s a top five Bordeaux wine and that’s when I prefer all of my wines. However I do like to take flyers on good but not great vintages as well (2014 a prime example).
No notes. Decanted for 3 hours beforehand, drank throughout post 3 hours, finishing the last glass around 4.5 hours. This wine is of course very well made and should not be confused with the following. Do not open for 3-5 years but if you do, drink earlier or super late in the decant but not in between. The wine was fun and approachable through quick sips leading up to the first three hours but then became overly tannic until about 4/5 hours with the last sip being the best.
Based on the above I felt no description might be most helpful as I didn’t sit with the wine laser focused and didn’t want to provide the wrong overview by phase. While I have had younger and older, better vintages and arguably worse (2011), this wine was the most closed off and/or poor phasing as of today. no doubt this will become better but I would not touch for a minimum of three years or longer.
Super young. Super awesome. Dense but balanced and complex even in this young age. The future couldn't be brighter. My score could increase dramatically as this unfurls.
På den tighte siden tross 3 timer luft. Begynner å gi kirsebær, kaffe, sjokolade, og hint av blomster, mynte og trøfler på nesen og tanninene står bra til et - veldig - fett andebryst. Dog ikke overbevist om at denne kommer til å forsvare de skyhøye poengene den fikk. Glad det er 12 og 16 som ligger i kjelleren.
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This wine is moving in the right direction and passing many, even in better vintages, on its way towards its optimal drinking window.
Wine took about 30 minutes to provide a peak and then developed nicely over the course of the evening with the last sip being the best. This has a way to go but if you have enough, no reason not to pop one now.
While it doesn’t have the depth and complexity of better vintages, it drinks well above vintage expectations. Red fruits, mainly red currant and sour red raspberry, some herbal notes, minerals, a bit more acidity than I typically prefer, already semi sweet tannins and a medium plus finish. More linear than I would have hoped but drinks really well already. 92 with real upside.
This must be one of the best 2014s and in my opinion is the best young VCC to drink today. While it has not the depth and gravitas of 2010, 2015 or 2016, it is more harmonious, fresher, cooler and overall more ready than the other vintages at this point. I‘m not the biggest right bank fan in general and one or the other VCC showed a bit too bold, ripe and extracted for my taste in the past but this wine, I would drink everyday. The cooler vintage combined with VCC’s sexiness are a match made in heaven. I wish I would have bought more En Primeur... a steal in retrospect.
TN: Expressive bouquet with fresh, sweet red fruit, spices, some baking spices, hints of tobacco. Medium+ intensity, very high precision and very harmonious and inviting nose. Nicely layered on the palate with strawberries, raspberries, cherries, ripe but pure and fresh. Spices, minerality, herbs. Not the concentration and depth of great years but still fairly complex and the precision is on par with great years. Cool, fresh style, fine, no excess weight and just the right amount of creaminess, fine tannins, very-well integrated acidity. Overall wonderful harmonious. A good (but not great) finish.
Decanting: Decanted for 30 mins, good from the go.
Glass: Zalto Bdx vs Zalto Universal. The Universal delivered the better result with more focus, a better freshness and purity. In the Bdx the wine showed a bit more tannic and the alcohol was showing a bit. The Universal showed more fruit, while the Bdx focused more on the minerality/herbal part.
Ok this time a 6 hour decant- and it improved a point by adding a bit more complexity. This time the cassis is more pronounced with a hint of anise to build the depth and profile to a higher level. Before 89-90, now a solid 90+. Still not overly hopeful but who knows where it will go from here.
PnP and then drank over 4 hours. This has the VCC standard velvety mouthfeel already- even for a 2014. Initially the nose is subdued until about the 2+ hour mark where it starts to assert itself. Wine is not ready for prime time- at least not if what’s lurking below the surface will come out. There are dark red fruits, sour cherries, hints of mushrooms and rinds, the mineral spine you would expect plus a very long finish- maybe even bitter chocolate four hours in. The acid and tannins are well integrated for such a young wine but I would be remiss if I didn’t feel like there should be much more.
Maybe I am jaded by 2009, 2010, 2015 but even 2011 had more complexity. I will hold back opening any further bottles until a min of two years.
Not really more than 90, struggling to think of a reason it should be. Hard to even bother writing a review. Ok but not at all sexy, or intellectual or anything else. So disappointing really. And too damn expensive for a boring wine.
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A very fine vintage of VCC although way too young to drink. After a long decant, the classic flavors of this fabled Pomerol come to the fore with gorgeous dark red and black fruits, fragrant truffles and bitter chocolate. This is choc full of acidity right now with firm, taut tannins but it’s beautifully balanced and quite for for a ‘14. I like the future here very much. 94+
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At a Commanderie BYO event in Chicago. Fun to drink a young Bdx next to so many nicely aged wines.
Medium dark purple/red color. Nose showing blackberry, spice/clove and mushroom. Fruit forward but not heavy, palate showing blackberry, plum, lavender. Crisp and precise at this stage. Medium body. Finish is elegant, medium to long
An outstanding wine very early in its life. Probably goes 25 years from here? We got it on a night where it was showing well and fun to compare against older wines A great wine to buy a case and see how it evolves over the years, would probably leave it for another 5 years from this point
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Given the other reviews, I have to imagine this wine is entering a dumb phase now. The structure is their and the tannins are sharp. The wine shows more herbal and green forest than anything else, with touches of hard red fruit. Also hints of iron and graphite with coaxing. Won’t touch these for at least another 5-7 years.
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Fairly structured, but certainly enjoyable with a little air (needed an hour or so). Saved a glass for second night and it hadn’t changed too much. Lots going on here, and a very nice wine. Probably needs at least 5 years, more likely 10+, to show it’s best.
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Tasted next to 2014 Château L’Eglise-Clinet. Less plummy and much less oaky on the nose, mix of red and dark fruit, spices, earth, minerality. On the palate grippy but very well integrated tannins, great acidity, plenty of pure, succulent fruit. Very very elegant with a long, lingering finish. Very promising, but needs time. 94-95+
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First bottle of the case. Put this in the carafe about one hour before starting, the nose shows playfull red and dark berries, blackberry, some violets, anis and leafes. The mouth is round and jucy, with incredibly soft tannins (for such a young wine, insane), packed with flavors, red berries and black berries, wet stones, licorice and anis seed. Very expressive with a lovely tension mid pallet, with elegance of a princess. Lasts for 40 sec. For now this is a beauty to drink but will age effortlessly.
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My first ever Bordeaux futures purchase and I just finally gave in to popping one. So glad I did. Wow, such a gorgeous wine. Decanted for 1 hour. Nose is lovely black cherry, blackberry, graphite, and some interesting smoke or anise scent. Palate is perfectly balanced with gorgeous silky tannins. Just a really impressive wine tonight. Easy 96 points, and likely more with age. Going to buy another 6 pack.
A complete charmer, the wine is medium/full bodied, elegant, fresh, soft, silky and polished. You can already discern notes of truffle in the nose, and the purity in the red plums and dark cherries on the palate is just great. Give this until 2024 and you'll be set!
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Tasted next to 2006. A lot more primary and pretty tight overall. On the nose floral notes, red and dark fruit, crushed stones, spices. On the palate fresh, pure and vibrant, very elegant and really well balanced. Again surprisingly mineral, slightly spicy with lovely fruit and very well integrated tannins. Very long and persistent. Needs time. 94-95+
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Very fresh scent, mint and leaves scented with leaves Merlot. Discreet on the palate, not overly soft, silky, with lots of juice and structure, fresh and elegant, with perfectly integrated alcohol. Immens mineral and despite the fineness of tannins with intense tannins. 13.4 percent alcohol, 19 percent Cabernet Franc and 1 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The chances are good that this time will reach 100 points, but it still requires some patience, but will be worthwhile.
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SLDS GC NY Traditional Tasting: Spice, violets, licorice, black cherry - lots of lift and pure fruit. Sweet but lovely fruit and density, with layers of flavour. Really well put together wine, seamless. Open and expressive now, but lots and lots of room to get better.
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Just snagged a couple of bottles of this with a discount code. Will report back in 10 years when I open them! Meanwhile, a friend introduced me to Gravette de Certan, the 2nd wine of the estate and that was gorgeous.
The Grand Tour - day ten (Bordeaux): Popped and poured. Sweet plummy fruit backed by slight oranges, almost mandarin, and sweet spice. Also touches of vanilla, chocolate, coconut and five spice. In the mouth it's plummy and spicy with quite sharp acidity and warm spice. Drying tannins with time in the glass it begins to soften and ease up. Very much vinfanticide but getting there...
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What a beauty.Magnificently complex nose with blackberry liqueur,plum,black cherry,intermixed with floral notes,spices and subtle minerality. The palate is medium-bodied,lush,sensuous,silky and refined,very pure and precise and the finish is simply endless.Truly irresistible now,but with a long life ahead,this is a sophisticated,hedonistic and cerebral Pomerol.Impressive.
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A rather fun experiment when these showed up at my local wine shop. Splash decanted and followed over 4hrs. After the initial 30mins, the air didn't wake this up much. Impressive for its polish, elegance, and balance--despite it being so youthful. Vibrant pure red fruits mixed with some plum underneath. There's a lushness to the fruit that you don't often get in bdx--but that's not to say there's any semblance of over ripeness here. The texture and softness of the tannins are the most impressive quality currently. Oak influence stands apart at this stage, adding a mild spicy vanilla character that will need time to integrate. This is very well crafted and my first of the 14's so I have no vintage reference at this point, but appears quite good without anything overdone or out of place. Too young and difficult to score at this stage.
Very fragrant, great purity and alluring cashmere like texture. I found the Right Bank to be a bit of a mixed bag for 2014. The best have great balance, finesse and elegance while showing substance. Should be interesting to revisit once bottled. VCC for 2014 is very harmonious, and classy. Long, long finish. Not a blockbuster, but regal and stunning. This may very well be the top wine for the Right Bank, and one of better clarets for the entire region of Bordeaux. This is First Growth quality. 96+
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A wine where the aromatics are forever going to be a key part of the experience, this vintage reflects violets, kirsch, earth and spicy aromas, creating a delicate, beguiling and complex perfume. Long, pure and vibrant, with ripe loads of fresh sweet cherries and black raspberries, if it puts on more weight in the aging process – and it just might – this wine could be even more impressive. I imagine the wine will hit the top end of my scoring range, but time will tell. Blending 80% Merlot with 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 13.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.62. 95-96 Pts
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3/31/2024 - Mag357 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I have always found year in year out, that VCV is the most underated pomerol from the plateau, and this mat vintage proves the point. Very fine scents of red and blue berries, with just a tad of very fine oak, the mouth is still very primary with geogeous red and blueberry flavors, with nascent complexity, in a soft structure. I very much like the silky mid palate, ending in an elegant finish. Give this beauty another 10 years and it should reach great aromatic complexity. It will never be a blockbuster but a wine of finesse and complexity. Thank you D.
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3/30/2024 - Luap1111 Likes this wine: 93 Points
So young.
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3/30/2024 - D!n@sh Likes this wine: 94 Points
A completely different wine but so good. Bottle no 3 out of a case of 12. Mostly primary. Very floral nose. Delicious raspberries on the palette. I find this wine very Burgundian and looking forward to tracking its evolution.
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3/28/2024 - Stanrocks Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was the highlight of our trip
I took time to post and write down a note, as I needed to have better insight, not used to Bordeaux blends so much anymore but after 2 days and many tastings this really stood out !! Even for friends who had Lafitte 2005 earlier this week.
We tasted also Le Pin and Lafleur on more recent vintages but that guy ...
So here are the notes, Nose is spicy, a black peppercorn and dried tomato touch, oak is very integrated, blueberry but it's a lot more spicy than fruity, and tertiary notes come in with a little truffle later.
Palate is vivid, with acid drive, salty and fresh, long, elegant, integrated tannins, and the aftertaste will stay long after the visit is finished ... One gem here
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3/28/2024 - Noremedy21 wrote: 94 Points
This was beautiful, but it still requires time.
Decanted for 2hrs, initially very red fruited, slightly herbal, beautiful nose, but not much else to it. After about 4 hours it closed back up and became relatively tannic. After 6 hours it opened back up again, seemingly transformed with blueberry, dark black fruits, perfectly smooth tannins, it was glorious. Probably the best wine I’ve drank in the last 6 months, Palmer 2019 was probably the last one on this level. No rush to drink these, I think they’ll get better, but also irristiable now; but the next one you open, make sure to give it 5/6 hours for now to make the most of it.
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3/12/2024 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic bottle of wine regardless of the vintage. Take advantage of the discount and load up as this one is just getting started.
12 Hour slow decant with cork pulled and replaced.
95+
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2/24/2024 - Teaky Likes this wine:
Decanted over 5 hours, plus saved an extra glass for the next day. First day was fruit and oak, but was ever evolving no single sip was the same, fruit was slightly brambly, bit of chocolate and vanilla, tannic and low acid with a long finish, still had a very nice mouthfeel. Felt like this was much more fruit forward on day 2, no vanilla or chocolate with more red fruited strawberry and cassis, was very nice, preferred it on day 2, will sit on my remaining bottles at least another 5 years. This was my first time having the grand vin and it did not disappoint as it was very nice, one of those special wines that really evolves a lot as you drink it and is hard to describe.
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2/11/2024 - barryjkeller@gmail.com Likes this wine:
Decanted for 3 hours. Gorgeous. It was a few days ago so I wont right much, however was easy to pick up a high quality producer from Pomerol from the line up (Blind). Still needs time though.
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1/30/2024 - jviz Likes this wine: 95 Points
A really amazing bottle that performed well from the pop. I decanted for about 3 hours before pouring this at a broad 2014 tasting (but no other bordeaux, oddly).
Violet florals, blue and purple fruits, medium plus weight on the palate. This is both expressive and classic/sturdy at the same time. Beautiful depth with a velvety texture and some savory underpinning, maybe a hint of pyrazine that had folks clued in to Pomerol. I was really impressed with it.
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1/27/2024 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Took a little while blind but eventually was able to nail it (only good call of the day). This is so refined and elegant, seamless from start to finish. Shows it's cab franc influence well, with savory tobacco notes and a little herbal flair mixed in. Palate again is seamless, elegant, with a cashmere texture. Hard not to love. Drinking very well for a young bdx.
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1/27/2024 - cos65 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really lovely stuff
Ripe, rich fruit
Quite supple
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11/16/2023 - Bantoft97 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice but expected a little more. Fine, long finish, still young. Cherry nose, well made.
Decanted and drank over 4 hours.
Only got 2 more bottles and they will be gone soon so will buy more if find value.
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11/3/2023 - AVB001 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Expected more of a wow-factor. A bit restrained. Properly made though. Will it develop into something better? Lost out strongly against a Rauzan-Ségla 2005 served at the same time.
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7/4/2023 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pulled this 375 to celebrate my daughters birthday & vintage as well as America. Happy 4th! Wanted a bordeaux and kind of forced it with this pull.
Decanted for 1.5 hours. The wine is perfectly built with a lean towards freshness as it is my favorite 2014 (although that in itself is not saying much) as it is a solid food wine (although drinking it solo). This is less coiled and locked than the last time but I should have listened to my note from 1.25 years ago. Hold off on opening for another few years to gain a bit more complexity and for the acid to settle in a bit more.
2.5 hours in, the mouthfeel becomes more creamy and velvety but still needs time in the cellar.
Sour blackberry, dark red sour cherries, cranberry, black raspberries, hint of nondescript citrus (I know makes no sense- like an Orange rind wirhout the orange) dark earth, rock and a laser finish that goes on for more than I would have expected.
HOLD UNTIL 2026 - 2028 before pulling another.
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7/4/2023 - D!n@sh Likes this wine: 95 Points
Loved the freshness and minerality. Enjoyed it quite a bit more than 2019 that I had recently, though that's really not a good comparison given 2019 is a baby.
medium to full-bodied character, rich dark fruit and well-integrated tannins.
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6/8/2023 - Isaac L Likes this wine: 93 Points
By the glass from magnum @ 67PM. Tar, soil, minerals, black fruits. Elegant. Medium to full bodied, but not unctuous. Enjoyable now.
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6/8/2023 - Cailles wrote: 93 Points
Vieux Chateau Certan 2014-2017 tasted side -by-side. No detailed notes taken. Winner was the 2016 as it had the most finesse and a precision and purity unmatched by the other vintages. The other vintages were a bit less exciting today (all 92/93pts) but all have potential for more. Once thing that was striking: at least this young, I couldn‘t find the big common denominator. Blind, I wouldn‘t have guessed these wines to be all from the same Chateau.
2014 - 93pts: I like this wine quite a lot and rated it 95pts before. But this bottle was a bit more muted (it was a root day). Constantly evolving this was all about minerality and soil notes with a fresh, a bit timid fruit component. With time some coffee notes got this to a higher level. Quite elegant but without the depth (15/16) or precision (16) of great vintages.
2015 - 93pts: This was the most sensual, smooth, satiny wine with loads of ripe fruit and a bit too much spices for my taste. While this can become a great vintage, it is a bit too much today for my taste. A bit too Napa-esque. The alcohol is quite well covered. My guess is that once this sheds its baby fat and better integrates, this could become a great wine in the 95+ point category.
2016 - 95pts: This wine perfectly reflected the elegance, depth and hyper purity of the vintage. That extra kick of freshness and all the cooler blue fruit notes got me. This could become a masterpiece and has a lot of upside. It was a joy to drink today and hence the 95pts but once mature, this should reach the 97+ pts category.
2017 - 92 pts: In the best moments this showed great promise with fine pure red fruit, coffee and minerality. But throughout the evening this never fully opened up but especially never fully integrated well. I‘ve had some other 2017s which are drinking exceptionally well today. This bottle didn‘t. 91/92pts today but I see higher potential for this.
Decanting: All wines needed time to open up and improved markedly with air. I would at least go for two hours in the decanter for all of them.
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5/29/2023 - merlotsmile wrote:
To be tasted 1/6
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5/17/2023 - Vinumming & Ahhing Likes this wine: 93 Points
Amazing Bordeaux To Mark A Special Birthday (Noizé, London): Whilst clearly a young wine this is not unready and really will be belter in a decade's time. Nose opens out with some subtle mintiness some Earl Grey tea leaves, some hints of dark chocolate Bounty and some freshly carved and juicy rare venison. Later some steeped Morello cherries too. Palate is subtly spicy, mouth coating and oh-so more-ish. Impressive length. Chapeau.
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1/13/2023 - Decanting Queen wrote: 92 Points
One of two underperforming (IMO) ‘14 Pomerols that we had tonight. I am guessing this could be down to wine preparation (I am not exactly sure if or when it was decanted). Oak quite evident. Pure red fruit. Bodes well for the future but not great on the night.
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12/30/2022 - Triforwine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Couldn't help myself and put a coravin in this. Sipped on it and while it did improve with time in the glass, it is still too young even with lots of air the finish is a bit too acidic even if not overly tannic. But, there is a lot going on here. The cabernet franc seems to be dominant on this one with a hint of truffle and smoke where the nose is more evolved than the palate at this point and just enough of the fruit coming through which makes it enjoyable even now so I wound up opening and drinking over a couple of days. When this reaches maturity, I will probably regret having opened one of these so young. I do have 5 left so HOLD! 93-95++
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12/16/2022 - acyso wrote: 95 Points
HDH auction at avec River North (Chicago, IL): Stunning, archetypal Bordeaux from a critically unacclaimed vintage. A brilliant and complex mix of pyrazines and fruit; just an outstanding classically-styled Pomerol. Not quite as merlot-driven as I would expect for VCC. I'm a huge fan of this and will be looking to put some in my cellar.
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11/10/2022 - ayalao3 wrote: 95 Points
94-95 can gain complexity in a couple of years. Elegant.
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10/20/2022 - Sun_Ship Likes this wine: 94 Points
A generous nose of well-defined blackcurrant, plums and dark fruits, with delicious hints of dark chocolate. Super-smooth tannins and decent acidity sit alongside a well-integrated touch of oak on the long finish. Classically proportioned Pomerol.
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9/15/2022 - rossi.wine wrote: 94 Points
Tasted after 2011, 2012, 2013. Certainly the best in this line-up (2012 had a slight cork taint for me). Quite accessible already. Generous, ripe, nicely balanced and quite complex. Polished tannins but good structure. Vibrant finish. Quite persistent. Drink or keep. 93-94+
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9/12/2022 - 55degrees Likes this wine: 94 Points
Perfect provenance and cork with no tartrate. Riedel sommelier bdx glassware.
Lovely deep blood red with high climbing (14%) legs. Bright nose of red fruit with a touch of cigar box and a faint touch of tar. The mouthfeel was excellent for this medium bodied merlot with a high toned taste of kirsch liquer, red fruit compote, fig and rhubarb. Excellent mouthfeel firm acidity and a mouth gripping tooth coating fine tannic finish. As long as it doesn’t get any thinner it will probably be better in 5 yrs. 94/100
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7/27/2022 - SARED wrote: 94 Points
I score this high as its a good wine, and all in proportion. But a bit four square. Cooler vintage fruit that needs a lot more time (10 years) to develop interesting complexity (which I think you can clearly see). I was hoping for some massive mispricing on this 2014, and I'm not seeing it here right now. Will try the 2011 next. Excitment level this is maybe a 93, but technically its a 94.
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6/26/2022 - valedeniro wrote: 96 Points
Wow.This is hedonism at its best ! Highly perfumed,the nose just explodes out of the glass,wafting pure aromas of blackberry liqueur,freshly cut flowers,wild strawberry,exotic spice and subtle minerality.Rich and luscious,with an almost Burgundian elegance,there is such a beautiful purity of fruit in this wine and the tannins are so juicy.It glides across the palate with a silky/smooth mouthfeel,velvet texture and a spicy sweet long finish.A sophisticated and cerebral Pomerol.
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1/14/2022 - hkbob Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose took awhile to unfurl but eventually delivered red-fruit with background notes of iodine, smoldering embers and fresh loam. Very young still but the quality is evident. Fairly high-toned with lots of energy, good length and a tannic backbone for further cellaring. Another 5 years should work wonders.
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1/5/2022 - LiteItOnFire wrote: 89 Points
Handful of wines with great company on a Wednesday - no notes just quick impressions. 2001 Haut Brion, 2010 Belair Monange and 2014 VCC. The VCC for my palate is still under performing (which is frustrating) and while some reviews below have indicated it’s waking from its slumber - perhaps I over decanted and missed the window? Double decanted and 4 hours in decanter. The wine was more harsh and closed. I will leave these for 5 years and officially give up on opening one again (if anyone has the perfect recipe on how to wake this thing up, please let me know).
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1/2/2022 - PghMike Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 4.5 hours and consumed over the next four. Nose of blueberry, charcoal, fresh seawater and hay. Bright red and some cool blue fruit on the palate. Cherry, sweet blueberries, plum, wet stone, minerality and some graphite. Fine tannins throughout for a very smooth mouthfeel. The finish goes on and on with beautiful fresh and mouthwatering acidity.
Continued to improve to the last sip. Bouquet continued to open. Had a little with very rich boeuf bourguignon which overpowered the wine a little.
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11/14/2021 - kfrench150 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for about 1.5 hours. Black ruby colour. Super lush and powerful nose! Black and red berries, charcoal, suede, India ink, hemlock needle, dried herbs and pierre concasse. Entry is lush, fruity, full, super smooth and with perfect acidity and submerged tannins. Wow! Just wow! Lashing of black and red berries, camphor, roasted herbs, suede, graphite and black minerals. So smooth and lush and ripe and exotic! Mouth coating with a long, tingly fruit-filled finish. Spectacular! Call me over-enthusiastic, but I'm going with a 96 on this one! And with up side potential!
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11/8/2021 - Paul D wrote:
Tasted at Chateau - Fragrant with blue/red fruits, florals. Medium bodied, red fruited, fine, light tannins, spice, vibrant acidity carries a decent length finish. This is lovely and already approachable.
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9/30/2021 - Orange Tsian Likes this wine: 93 Points
烟熏肉（杯中半小时之后慢慢散去）之下藏着类似水果糖，泡泡糖和新鲜水果交叠的红黑果味，黑樱桃碎，黑莓……居然有一点透亮感，之后出现玫瑰花干的味道，浸泡其中，伴随着薄荷的清凉，皮革、一些甜胡椒和香料粉，恰到好处的桶味都适时地当起了配角。入口能感受到宽阔中的平静稳重，单宁柔顺细腻，轻轻抚摸口腔，整体集中浓郁且平衡，明显在中段有线性的隆起，左右平衡，很有老牌贵族的范儿。大量成熟甜美的红黑果组合，带一点青果和果脯，展现出很丰富的果味。玫瑰花柔弱飘动伸展，中后段隐隐约约的香料粉、泥土、甘草等，如同虚影，不太清晰，很棒，还是年轻了。余韵长。93-94/100
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6/19/2021 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great night with friends and good wine- VCC, L Barton, Scarlett Reserve and Kosta Brown.
Call out- VCC is one of my favorite Bordeaux wines and relative to its peers is substantially under valued and priced (is the peers are over priced but that is an argument for another day).
So when VCC is in the best vintages it’s a top five Bordeaux wine and that’s when I prefer all of my wines. However I do like to take flyers on good but not great vintages as well (2014 a prime example).
No notes. Decanted for 3 hours beforehand, drank throughout post 3 hours, finishing the last glass around 4.5 hours. This wine is of course very well made and should not be confused with the following. Do not open for 3-5 years but if you do, drink earlier or super late in the decant but not in between. The wine was fun and approachable through quick sips leading up to the first three hours but then became overly tannic until about 4/5 hours with the last sip being the best.
Based on the above I felt no description might be most helpful as I didn’t sit with the wine laser focused and didn’t want to provide the wrong overview by phase. While I have had younger and older, better vintages and arguably worse (2011), this wine was the most closed off and/or poor phasing as of today. no doubt this will become better but I would not touch for a minimum of three years or longer.
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3/8/2021 - rc@ughey wrote: 93 Points
Super young. Super awesome. Dense but balanced and complex even in this young age. The future couldn't be brighter. My score could increase dramatically as this unfurls.
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12/31/2020 - Krokfjord Likes this wine: 91 Points
På den tighte siden tross 3 timer luft. Begynner å gi kirsebær, kaffe, sjokolade, og hint av blomster, mynte og trøfler på nesen og tanninene står bra til et - veldig - fett andebryst. Dog ikke overbevist om at denne kommer til å forsvare de skyhøye poengene den fikk. Glad det er 12 og 16 som ligger i kjelleren.
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12/10/2020 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine is moving in the right direction and passing many, even in better vintages, on its way towards its optimal drinking window.
Wine took about 30 minutes to provide a peak and then developed nicely over the course of the evening with the last sip being the best. This has a way to go but if you have enough, no reason not to pop one now.
While it doesn’t have the depth and complexity of better vintages, it drinks well above vintage expectations. Red fruits, mainly red currant and sour red raspberry, some herbal notes, minerals, a bit more acidity than I typically prefer, already semi sweet tannins and a medium plus finish. More linear than I would have hoped but drinks really well already. 92 with real upside.
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11/26/2020 - Cailles wrote: 95 Points
This must be one of the best 2014s and in my opinion is the best young VCC to drink today. While it has not the depth and gravitas of 2010, 2015 or 2016, it is more harmonious, fresher, cooler and overall more ready than the other vintages at this point. I‘m not the biggest right bank fan in general and one or the other VCC showed a bit too bold, ripe and extracted for my taste in the past but this wine, I would drink everyday. The cooler vintage combined with VCC’s sexiness are a match made in heaven. I wish I would have bought more En Primeur... a steal in retrospect.
TN: Expressive bouquet with fresh, sweet red fruit, spices, some baking spices, hints of tobacco. Medium+ intensity, very high precision and very harmonious and inviting nose. Nicely layered on the palate with strawberries, raspberries, cherries, ripe but pure and fresh. Spices, minerality, herbs. Not the concentration and depth of great years but still fairly complex and the precision is on par with great years. Cool, fresh style, fine, no excess weight and just the right amount of creaminess, fine tannins, very-well integrated acidity. Overall wonderful harmonious. A good (but not great) finish.
Decanting: Decanted for 30 mins, good from the go.
Glass: Zalto Bdx vs Zalto Universal. The Universal delivered the better result with more focus, a better freshness and purity. In the Bdx the wine showed a bit more tannic and the alcohol was showing a bit. The Universal showed more fruit, while the Bdx focused more on the minerality/herbal part.
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5/24/2020 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ok this time a 6 hour decant- and it improved a point by adding a bit more complexity. This time the cassis is more pronounced with a hint of anise to build the depth and profile to a higher level. Before 89-90, now a solid 90+. Still not overly hopeful but who knows where it will go from here.
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5/21/2020 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 90 Points
PnP and then drank over 4 hours. This has the VCC standard velvety mouthfeel already- even for a 2014. Initially the nose is subdued until about the 2+ hour mark where it starts to assert itself. Wine is not ready for prime time- at least not if what’s lurking below the surface will come out. There are dark red fruits, sour cherries, hints of mushrooms and rinds, the mineral spine you would expect plus a very long finish- maybe even bitter chocolate four hours in. The acid and tannins are well integrated for such a young wine but I would be remiss if I didn’t feel like there should be much more.
Maybe I am jaded by 2009, 2010, 2015 but even 2011 had more complexity. I will hold back opening any further bottles until a min of two years.
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4/4/2020 - SlimShaney wrote: 90 Points
Not really more than 90, struggling to think of a reason it should be. Hard to even bother writing a review. Ok but not at all sexy, or intellectual or anything else. So disappointing really. And too damn expensive for a boring wine.
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3/26/2020 - dream Likes this wine: 94 Points
A very fine vintage of VCC although way too young to drink. After a long decant, the classic flavors of this fabled Pomerol come to the fore with gorgeous dark red and black fruits, fragrant truffles and bitter chocolate. This is choc full of acidity right now with firm, taut tannins but it’s beautifully balanced and quite for for a ‘14. I like the future here very much. 94+
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10/16/2019 - walkerjfw wrote: 95 Points
At a Commanderie BYO event in Chicago. Fun to drink a young Bdx next to so many nicely aged wines.
Medium dark purple/red color. Nose showing blackberry, spice/clove and mushroom. Fruit forward but not heavy, palate showing blackberry, plum, lavender. Crisp and precise at this stage. Medium body. Finish is elegant, medium to long
An outstanding wine very early in its life. Probably goes 25 years from here? We got it on a night where it was showing well and fun to compare against older wines A great wine to buy a case and see how it evolves over the years, would probably leave it for another 5 years from this point
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9/20/2019 - T.E.D. wrote: 90 Points
Given the other reviews, I have to imagine this wine is entering a dumb phase now. The structure is their and the tannins are sharp. The wine shows more herbal and green forest than anything else, with touches of hard red fruit. Also hints of iron and graphite with coaxing. Won’t touch these for at least another 5-7 years.
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9/7/2019 - B Paul wrote:
Fairly structured, but certainly enjoyable with a little air (needed an hour or so). Saved a glass for second night and it hadn’t changed too much. Lots going on here, and a very nice wine. Probably needs at least 5 years, more likely 10+, to show it’s best.
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5/28/2019 - rossi.wine wrote: 95 Points
Tasted next to 2014 Château L’Eglise-Clinet. Less plummy and much less oaky on the nose, mix of red and dark fruit, spices, earth, minerality. On the palate grippy but very well integrated tannins, great acidity, plenty of pure, succulent fruit. Very very elegant with a long, lingering finish. Very promising, but needs time. 94-95+
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9/22/2018 - Dave77 Likes this wine: 96 Points
First bottle of the case.
Put this in the carafe about one hour before starting, the nose shows playfull red and dark berries, blackberry, some violets, anis and leafes.
The mouth is round and jucy, with incredibly soft tannins (for such a young wine, insane), packed with flavors, red berries and black berries, wet stones, licorice and anis seed.
Very expressive with a lovely tension mid pallet, with elegance of a princess. Lasts for 40 sec.
For now this is a beauty to drink but will age effortlessly.
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9/3/2018 - Lateva wrote: 96 Points
My first ever Bordeaux futures purchase and I just finally gave in to popping one. So glad I did. Wow, such a gorgeous wine. Decanted for 1 hour. Nose is lovely black cherry, blackberry, graphite, and some interesting smoke or anise scent. Palate is perfectly balanced with gorgeous silky tannins. Just a really impressive wine tonight. Easy 96 points, and likely more with age. Going to buy another 6 pack.
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7/18/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
A complete charmer, the wine is medium/full bodied, elegant, fresh, soft, silky and polished. You can already discern notes of truffle in the nose, and the purity in the red plums and dark cherries on the palate is just great. Give this until 2024 and you'll be set!
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7/13/2018 - rossi.wine wrote: 95 Points
Tasted next to 2006. A lot more primary and pretty tight overall. On the nose floral notes, red and dark fruit, crushed stones, spices. On the palate fresh, pure and vibrant, very elegant and really well balanced. Again surprisingly mineral, slightly spicy with lovely fruit and very well integrated tannins. Very long and persistent. Needs time. 94-95+
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4/20/2018 - Michael777 wrote: 98 Points
Very fresh scent, mint and leaves scented with leaves Merlot. Discreet on the palate, not overly soft, silky, with lots of juice and structure, fresh and elegant, with perfectly integrated alcohol. Immens mineral and despite the fineness of tannins with intense tannins. 13.4 percent alcohol, 19 percent Cabernet Franc and 1 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The chances are good that this time will reach 100 points, but it still requires some patience, but will be worthwhile.
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1/3/2018 - CamWheeler wrote: 93 Points
SLDS GC NY Traditional Tasting: Spice, violets, licorice, black cherry - lots of lift and pure fruit. Sweet but lovely fruit and density, with layers of flavour. Really well put together wine, seamless. Open and expressive now, but lots and lots of room to get better.
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11/2/2017 - macmac007 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just snagged a couple of bottles of this with a discount code. Will report back in 10 years when I open them! Meanwhile, a friend introduced me to Gravette de Certan, the 2nd wine of the estate and that was gorgeous.
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10/11/2017 - chatters wrote:
The Grand Tour - day ten (Bordeaux): Popped and poured. Sweet plummy fruit backed by slight oranges, almost mandarin, and sweet spice. Also touches of vanilla, chocolate, coconut and five spice. In the mouth it's plummy and spicy with quite sharp acidity and warm spice. Drying tannins with time in the glass it begins to soften and ease up. Very much vinfanticide but getting there...
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9/19/2017 - valedeniro wrote: 96 Points
What a beauty.Magnificently complex nose with blackberry liqueur,plum,black cherry,intermixed with floral notes,spices and subtle minerality.
The palate is medium-bodied,lush,sensuous,silky and refined,very pure and precise and the finish is simply endless.Truly irresistible now,but with a long life ahead,this is a sophisticated,hedonistic and cerebral Pomerol.Impressive.
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3/5/2017 - PC73 wrote:
Very pretty on the nose.
A big wine. Very woody and lots of spice on the palate.
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1/16/2017 - Nutty08 Likes this wine:
A rather fun experiment when these showed up at my local wine shop. Splash decanted and followed over 4hrs. After the initial 30mins, the air didn't wake this up much. Impressive for its polish, elegance, and balance--despite it being so youthful. Vibrant pure red fruits mixed with some plum underneath. There's a lushness to the fruit that you don't often get in bdx--but that's not to say there's any semblance of over ripeness here. The texture and softness of the tannins are the most impressive quality currently. Oak influence stands apart at this stage, adding a mild spicy vanilla character that will need time to integrate. This is very well crafted and my first of the 14's so I have no vintage reference at this point, but appears quite good without anything overdone or out of place. Too young and difficult to score at this stage.
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6/18/2015 - johnh1001 wrote: 94 Points
Dark fruit, plum, violet, chocolate. Red and black raspberries. Pure and airy on the nose, yet with weight. Love the flavor profile.
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4/27/2015 - edub7 wrote: 96 Points
Very fragrant, great purity and alluring cashmere like texture. I found the Right Bank to be a bit of a mixed bag for 2014. The best have great balance, finesse and elegance while showing substance. Should be interesting to revisit once bottled. VCC for 2014 is very harmonious, and classy. Long, long finish. Not a blockbuster, but regal and stunning. This may very well be the top wine for the Right Bank, and one of better clarets for the entire region of Bordeaux. This is First Growth quality. 96+
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4/24/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
A wine where the aromatics are forever going to be a key part of the experience, this vintage reflects violets, kirsch, earth and spicy aromas, creating a delicate, beguiling and complex perfume. Long, pure and vibrant, with ripe loads of fresh sweet cherries and black raspberries, if it puts on more weight in the aging process – and it just might – this wine could be even more impressive. I imagine the wine will hit the top end of my scoring range, but time will tell. Blending 80% Merlot with 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 13.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.62. 95-96 Pts
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