By the glass. With thirty years on, time to beat those on the right bank in a tremendously uneven vintage. All bottles open six hours before tasting. Without shortage of quality aromas from Pomerol, ie subtle notes of cherries, flesh or yogurt with berries of different colours. Simple complexity this time. On the palate, a texture that is too watery with a decent acidity and more than enough length stand out. In many ways it reminds me the 2012 vintage. Simply very good but without reaching its usual stratospheric level.
Por copas. Con treinta años encima, hora de dar una batida a los de la margen derecha en una añada tremendamente desigual. Todas las botellas abiertas seis horas antes de la cata. Sin escasez de aromas de calidad del Pomerol, es decir, sutiles notas a cerezas, carne fresca o yogurth con bayas de diferentes colores. Complejidad sencilla esta vez. Al paladar destaca una textura demasiado acuosa, una decente acidez y de una longitud más que suficiente. En muchos aspectos me recuerda a la añada 2012. Simplemente muy buena pero sin llegar a su habitual nivel estratosférico.
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This is a great wine, even if the vintage is considered poor.
Magiskt STOR näsa med Bdx jord, kossor, hästbajs, glödande björkved, bläck, svarta oliver… Palatten säger GRYMT bra, modell BDX100p men, även om megafonen säger rätt saker är volymen något klen… Fantastiskt vin, Halleluja! Men samman med mat är detta söder om klent. Tyvärr. 1994 Vieux Château Certan, 92 p
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Garnet, ruby red. This smelled a bit special as it’s a 1994 and not pure Merlot, the “special ingredient” (Cabernet Franc) makes it more complex and harder to guess for my friends. Perfectly aged and a nice example from the vintage, with herbal aromas, saddle leather, red fruit, and a hint of vanilla. It’s ready to show after ~15min in the glass. Right bank is not obviously here. A left bank wine for the right bank lover. This wine is really nice, but I would only buy it with perfect fill and at a nice price (e.g. below 80€). Noteworthy, this bottle was stored under perfect conditions, and I had a few more bottles in the last years with constant rating.
Interestingly, one friend noted that it’s something special from Spain or a Chateau Musar (I like always to mislead with my gesture… and my friends now that; thus, they interpreted this wine as a “Pirate” and not mostly Merlot one, because (mostly) Merlot was our topic).
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bottle was in great condition. wine was brick red, with earthy, leathery aromas, and some spicy character that i couldn't pin down but did enjoy. on the palate the fruit was mainly subdued by age... some faint hints of soft plum, but mainly savory and rounded flavors... also stones and earth. not sure i understand how this could be called austere (read that elsewhere). it's not in any way flamboyant, either, of course. just seemed a quiet classic, starting to fade.
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Firm and frankly austere, this classic natured wine feels more like it is from the Left Bank, than Pomerol. The nose with its red plums, truffle, tobacco, cigar wrapper and herb character is more fun than the bright, overly fresh, strict red berry palate and finish.
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2/22/2024 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
By the glass. With thirty years on, time to beat those on the right bank in a tremendously uneven vintage. All bottles open six hours before tasting. Without shortage of quality aromas from Pomerol, ie subtle notes of cherries, flesh or yogurt with berries of different colours. Simple complexity this time. On the palate, a texture that is too watery with a decent acidity and more than enough length stand out. In many ways it reminds me the 2012 vintage. Simply very good but without reaching its usual stratospheric level.
Por copas. Con treinta años encima, hora de dar una batida a los de la margen derecha en una añada tremendamente desigual. Todas las botellas abiertas seis horas antes de la cata. Sin escasez de aromas de calidad del Pomerol, es decir, sutiles notas a cerezas, carne fresca o yogurth con bayas de diferentes colores. Complejidad sencilla esta vez. Al paladar destaca una textura demasiado acuosa, una decente acidez y de una longitud más que suficiente. En muchos aspectos me recuerda a la añada 2012. Simplemente muy buena pero sin llegar a su habitual nivel estratosférico.
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5/28/2022 - StefanAkiko wrote: 92 Points
This is a great wine, even if the vintage is considered poor.
Magiskt STOR näsa med Bdx jord, kossor, hästbajs, glödande björkved, bläck, svarta oliver…
Palatten säger GRYMT bra, modell BDX100p men, även om megafonen säger rätt saker är volymen något klen…
Fantastiskt vin, Halleluja! Men samman med mat är detta söder om klent. Tyvärr.
1994 Vieux Château Certan, 92 p
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1/8/2022 - memberberry Likes this wine: 91 Points
50 shades of Merlot (at home): Gabriel Gold. PnP. Tasted non blind.
Garnet, ruby red. This smelled a bit special as it’s a 1994 and not pure Merlot, the “special ingredient” (Cabernet Franc) makes it more complex and harder to guess for my friends. Perfectly aged and a nice example from the vintage, with herbal aromas, saddle leather, red fruit, and a hint of vanilla. It’s ready to show after ~15min in the glass. Right bank is not obviously here. A left bank wine for the right bank lover. This wine is really nice, but I would only buy it with perfect fill and at a nice price (e.g. below 80€). Noteworthy, this bottle was stored under perfect conditions, and I had a few more bottles in the last years with constant rating.
Interestingly, one friend noted that it’s something special from Spain or a Chateau Musar (I like always to mislead with my gesture… and my friends now that; thus, they interpreted this wine as a “Pirate” and not mostly Merlot one, because (mostly) Merlot was our topic).
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12/30/2020 - the dregs Likes this wine:
bottle was in great condition. wine was brick red, with earthy, leathery aromas, and some spicy character that i couldn't pin down but did enjoy. on the palate the fruit was mainly subdued by age... some faint hints of soft plum, but mainly savory and rounded flavors... also stones and earth. not sure i understand how this could be called austere (read that elsewhere). it's not in any way flamboyant, either, of course. just seemed a quiet classic, starting to fade.
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9/11/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote: 88 Points
Firm and frankly austere, this classic natured wine feels more like it is from the Left Bank, than Pomerol. The nose with its red plums, truffle, tobacco, cigar wrapper and herb character is more fun than the bright, overly fresh, strict red berry palate and finish.
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