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. (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.
(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)
K&L Notes
94 points Neal Martin's Wine Journal: "This bottle is consistent with previous examples. The nose is very generous, though not ostentatious with plenty of vibrant, here quite glossy red fruit mixed with a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied, more foursquare than I recollect but still with that classic sense of symmetry and poise towards the finish. Alexandre Thienpont created a superb VCC in 2008, one destined for longevity. Tasted June 2013." (11/2013)
