2018 Vieux Château Certan

Community Tasting Notes (10) Avg Score: 97.1 points

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  4/30/2023 - Cailles wrote: 95 Points

  VT Group Tasting Vol. 4: Tasted double blind. Nested in a flight between two Supertuscans (Tignanello 2018 at 90pts, Redigaffi 2013 at 91pts), this showed quite elegant and layered, not too ripe and without any heat. When revealed, I was positively surprised as I found recent vintages of VCC often a bit Napa-esque but they handled the 2018 warm year quite well as it seems. “The no alcohol heat detectable” is encouraging (I had some 2018 bottles which showed heat: Mission, Calon, Poyferre, Rauzan Segla).
  
  TN: Medium expressive, with time more and more expressive bouquet with dark and dark red berries, herbs, and a nice cut from minerality. On the palate more expressive right from the start. Quite layered and highly precise aromas of herbs, menthol, dark red fruit, some darker berries, minerality. With time beautiful tobacco notes and the typical VCC spices add to the complexity. Well-behaved, round, fine tannins, good freshness, not exactly weightless but with lots of elegance and a luxurious satin-like texture. The balance is superb, not one component out of place, no alcohol heat showing.
  
  Decanting: Not decanted. Good from the go, improved with air. A short decant should do the job.

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  4/24/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points

  Tasted blind. Red cherry and dark cherry, ripe and style and resulting in a fruit-forward bouquet – although also complemented by nice minerality. This follows an intense and fruit-forward palate. Harmony was ok from start but was also getting better. I felt this to be more one-dimensional and less facetted than other recent vintages such as 2015 or 2016 – but the structure for long-term aging is definitely there and wouldn’t be surprised to see this improve.

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  4/16/2023 - dream Likes this wine: 95 Points

  I continue to love this wine and respect it as well because it avoids the excesses of the vintage. Not big and ripe but rather so refined and precise. Medium-bodied but with great purity and finesse. Tasted at the Chateau with Guillaume. 95+

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  4/30/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 98 Points

  Stowed to Cabo for dinner at Seared. Incredible expressive at PNP. No decant, slow ox in the glass.
  
  Dark purple ruby hue in the glass, the nose is floral from the healthy blend of Cab Franc. Plums, dark chocolate, expresso, blueberry and stone. Tension from the tannins prove electric on the palate which melts and coats the tongue
  
  Not as approachable as the 16 at the same point in time but could outlive that vintage.
  
  97+
  
  Quarter of the bottle brought back to Houston. 72 Hours of slow ox in the bottle and the wine is still sexy as all get out. Tannins subsided but the silky goodness is fruit and center. Nose is a little muted compared to 3 days earlier but it makes up for it on the approachability on the palate. Ripe acidity.
  
  98+
  
  This upside on the wine is incredible. Glad to have gone back in for more after EP.

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  12/11/2021 - Marquis du Vin Likes this wine: 100 Points

  Just opened this... Reminds me of when I cracked the 2009 Palmer on release. What a pleasure to sip. Deep purple almost like licorice! Gorgeous sensations emerge tantalizing the mouth. Blueberries, kitsch and minerals. 3 hours later, things soften a bit with more pronounced flavors, the finish in dazzling. Currants emerge exploding in the mouth.Well balanced and silky soft. Probably the best wine experience for a young bordeaux ever! It beats the Palmer, as every bit of this tastes sensational. Medium to full body, and very rich indeed. Now mind you ... I have had Gravette '14 and '15. Have 2 cases of the '18. Those wines are close to the look and feel of this one, not as deep or rich, but as far as 2nds go, this has to be the best I've had in comparison to the Gran Vins. Having said that. load up on those which are 1/3 -1/4 of the price. We all can't drink Gran Vin every night!

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