2008 Vieux-Château-Certan, Pomerol

SKU #1124654 95 points Decanter

A cool and uneven summer led to a slow growing season, and those who picked too soon had angular tannins. This Pomerol property didn't begin harvesting until the end of September, so no such problems here, where the wine is a triumph. The nose is exquisite, with ripe, elegant cherry and blackcurrant aromas that are lifted and pure. Although very concentrated, the palate is medium-bodied and graceful, with a fresh and taut structure. Fine acidity gives the wine nuance and exceptional length. Drinking Window 2018-2032 (SB) (9/2018)

94 points John Gilman

Readers know what a big fan I am of the utterly classic 2008 vintage in Bordeaux, and though I have written a couple of times about the vintage over the years, I had never had the chance to taste the 2008 VCC until recently. Not surprisingly, this is an outstanding example of this superb year, offering up a deep and youthfully black fruity bouquet of cassis, dark berries, tobacco leaf, a touch of mint, dark soil tones, espresso, cigar smoke and a nice touch of nutty new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full and already very pure on the attack, with a good core, suave, seamless tannins and lovely length and grip on the vibrant and still quite youthful finish. This will be a classic vintage of VCC with sufficient bottle age. I would imagine it will start to drink with a bit more generosity in another five or six years and probably reach its plateau around 2030. Drink between 2023-2075. (1/2018)

94 points James Suckling

The aromas to this are so compelling with Maraschino cherries and sliced plums. So intense. It must come from the Cabernet Franc in the blend. It’s full-bodied and dense but in a reserved and refined style. Racy and beautiful. Reminds me of the wonderful 2001. (12/2010)

94 points Wine Enthusiast

In this dense wine, dusty tannins ride over spice and black currant fruits, giving weight and concentration while retaining the natural stylish character of the château. *Cellar Selection* (RV) (4/2011)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

This is a beautiful wine, much more developed and evolved than the 2010, as one might expect, with perfumed notes of camphor, cedar, charcoal, herbs, and black and red fruits. A blend of 70% of Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has very complex aromatics, medium to full body, outstanding ripeness, a spicy, perfumed character, and light to moderate tannin. It can benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades. (RP) (5/2011)

93 points Vinous

The 2008 Vieux Château Certan has a timid bouquet at first and demands a lot of coaxing from the glass. I wonder if this is in the middle of a closed down phase? This VCC seems to leave all the action on the palate: filigree tannin, a silver bead of acidity, very pure and complex towards the finish with truffle and smoke infusing the red berry fruit. Wonderful persistence (as usual for VCC). Keep it for a few more years is what Alexandre Thienpont suggests and who am I to disagree. (NM) 93+ (2/2018)

92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright red ruby. Vibrant aromas of kirsch, chocolate, mint and tarragon. Intensely flavored and juicy, with excellent precision and a restrained sweetness to the dark fruit and mineral flavors. With its strong impression of energy, this is less easygoing than most 2008 Pomerols but built for a slow and graceful evolution in bottle. Serious and strong: I would not be surprised if this wine merited an even higher score by about 2020. (ST)\ 92+ (7/2011)

92 points Wine Spectator

This is classy, with a lush cashmere feel to the crushed plum, blueberry and blackberry fruit, all finely beaded with maduro tobacco, smoked apple wood and violet notes. The long finish shows even darker hints, with very suave length. (JM) (4/2011)

Jancis Robinson

Tasted blind. Healthy, savoury crimson. Very polished and charming with ripe fruit and almost buried tannins. Satin texture. 17/20 points (JR) (3/2018)