Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This was my Coravin test. It wasn’t ready a number yrs ago. I put it back in the cellar lying on its side. It survived pleasantly. Did not decant.

2004 not the best Bordeaux vintage but there it was in the store reasonably priced. So, I bought this one. Always curious. The 2nd wine from one of my favorite Right Bank producers, Vieux Chateau Certan. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc.

The nose shows ripe & slightly candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, raspberries, mulberries & plum. Beautiful, gentle, dark spices, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, mid to dark colas, steeped black tea, anise to some black licorice, understated graphite/dry tobacco, undertones of baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & just a slight touch of vanillin,dry crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, moist clay, brilliant red florals, red roses, dark flowers framed in violets.

The palate has M rounded, dry tannins. The fruits are ripe, juicy, ruby/lush & slightly candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & plum. Beautiful, gentle, dark spices w/ heat, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, mid to dark colas, steeped black tea, anise to some black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar to pudding, mocha, understated graphite/dry tobacco, undertones of baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & just a slight touch of vanillin,dry crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, moist clay, some volcanic minerals, hints of menthol, brilliant red florals, red roses, dark flowers framed in violets, beautiful acidity with a smartly polished, elegant finish that has length, balance & tone that lasts nearly two-minutes.

Moved between 90-92. Ended 92. Enjoyed w/ a medium rare plus Ribcap. Has another 7-10 yrs of road ahead. — a day ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.6

Onakase lalo — a month ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Cata winegeeks cdjr @ardeo
— 3 months ago

Billy L.

9.5

2018 in great drinking window now! From over 100 year old vines; Kudos to Arnaud Mortet! Cheers 🍇🍷👍🏻👏🏻 — 3 months ago

Paul Masson

9.1

Developing bruised apple complexity, sufficiently balanced with zingy citrus and minerality. — 4 months ago

AS

9.5

Light, smooth, and with tartness (acid). A perfect pairing with meat or a rich meal. If you like lighter reds and come across this one, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a true delight. — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2024 vintage. Makes me want to dump the entire house of cards Sancerre collective now and forever. Just might. This was great and at the right price. 7.1.26. — 10 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.8

Omakase lalo — 17 days ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.3

So balanced — 19 days ago

Turd Ferguson

9.3

First glass was toeing the line with VA then it settled down nicely. bone dry, high acid, extreme minerality with typical complex chenin markers: lime, apples, honey. Really delicious but this needs an hour or two of aeration minimum. These wines take forever in the cellar. 2018 just entering drinkability. Aside: The tasting notes on this wine are full of trendy NYC somms drinking this on release and giving it middling scores 😬 — 2 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.1

Bright, clean , drinks youthful. No pyrazines to speak of. Maybe in a slightly dumb/closed phase. Will revisit tomorrow. Edit/ day two, now it’s expressive. Pyrazines coming through. This is a delicate wine. Versatile with food. Excellent purity.  — 4 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.1

Absolutely ripping acid. Intense wine, Plenty of stuffing. Well cellared. Fruit is evolved but no risk of going anywhere, with acid like this it’ll probably live forever. — 4 months ago

Jamie Noon

9.0

Delicious! — 7 months ago

TH

9.1

薄めの黄金色。白い花のニュアンス。
やや苦味があるが、厚みのあるフルーツ、白い花の味わい
@青山グルメマート約4500円 — 11 hours ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Omakase lalo — 17 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.8

Omakase lalo — 17 days ago

Ananda Aisola

9.1

Med light, med dry, med alcohol, low alcohol, med body. Very easy drinking tasty wine — 2 months ago

Mike Lev

9.0

Very nice & good QPR blend. Merlot 70%. Ripe fruit, blackberry, tea, licorice. 1 hour decant. Organic+. — 3 months ago

Lisa McKinnon

9.1

More minerally than oaky. Really nice with both grouper and lamb tagliatelle. — 4 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Second bottle of this in the past year. It’s deep, complex, and drinking really well now. A little note of barnyard adds a dimensional to the deep ripe fruit and deep granite on the nose. It’s dry and very deep on the palate. Deep savory and mineral notes are prominent, nicely augmenting the dark fruit. Nice but soft acids. A teensy little bit drying on the finish, so this is definitely designed for the table, where it will shine with stews and braises and pasta and . . . — 5 months ago