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. — 3 days ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2022. Our sommelier knew that we have enjoyed several different Chenin Blanc wines with the food at The Oven and poured me a taste of this wine from an opened bottle. Beautiful aromas of apple/apple cider/blossoms. High acidity and medium body. — 2 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Lemon yellow with green. Oak vanilla rich buttery. Daniel-Etienne Defaix Domaine du Vieux Chateau Vieille Vignes Chablis 22 @2180, Galeri, 260518 — 2 months ago

Doug Powers

9.3

A 25-year-old CdP that is drinking beautifully tonight, should last a little bit longer, but pretty darn fantastic tonight, red fruits, earthy notes with with garrigue aromatics, long, lingering finish, terrific!! — 3 months ago

with Monique and Jim

Peter van den Besselaar

9.4

vintage 1990 | Deep dark mahogany colour, full of life at 36 years old, well balanced with a honey impression and currants smell. Nowhere cloying, France grandeur. Paired with a slow food Italian apple bread. — 4 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.4

It may be infanticide, but a 11-14” snow/ice storm called for hasty judgment.
Deep grapey sanguine nose at first with a hint of something red poking around the edges. With meatloaf, perfect. The Cornas filled up any and all empty spaces left by the entrée. Big and muscular at first, but never overwhelming, built with fine tannins and a refreshing acidity filled finish. A peek at the bottle reveals 12.5°, lighter than thought going in, but not surprising, especially as it airs and a more pronounced red fruited quality emerges from the black. If you’ve got some and can wait…do so.
A highly rewarding bottle on a snowbound night.
Thanks @FassSelections — 6 months ago

Douglas Braun

9.3

2017- Vintage- pretty rose petal, Christmas spice, plum fruit, wood spice, very soft fine tannins, amazing such a departure from the 2016 that I had previously — 10 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.3

This was as good as cab franc gets outside the right bank in Bordeaux. Very elegant, dense, mineral. Very very long in the mouth. Outstanding. — a month ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Ananda Aisola

9.1

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

David Burke

9.0

This is a nicely balanced blend! — 2 months ago

Lorenzo Marzilli

9.3

CNDP 2017 Magnum. Different format bottle and was very good. Definitely a wine that needs time to breathe. Became much much better after being open 30 to 45 minutes. Nose: dark fruit, menthol? Taste: plum, cherry, high acidity. — 3 months ago

Katya

9.2

Очень приятное, ароматное (при охлаждении) и сладкий чернослив на вкус. У французов. — 4 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Always an excellent buy and always hard to resist opening young. Typical chenin nose of flint, ripe apple and wet wool, juicy and piquant on the palate, fruit forward with the stuffing to develop for eons — 5 months ago

mike cust

9.0

Great value keep 1 or 2 on hand. Won't cellar — 8 days ago

romo

9.2

On the road from Chablis to Meursault you will find this viscous mouthful. - at Gail & Ralph’s — 24 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Lovely sweet Grenache based fruit in an excellent vintage. Sweetness is the over riding palate descriptor reflective of the ripe vintage - red currant. A long persistent flavour profile. Telegramme is the second wine of Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium straw yellow . Quite rich on the nose , some toasty notes with some wax and yellow fruits , citrus peel, vanilla . On the palate this is all about the texture , quite round but enough balance , blanched almonds , peach. Waxy notes . Good length . Drink now and over the next few years , in a perfect place . — 2 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.7

VCC made a rich, dense, dark and tannic wine this year. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. Another delicious 2022 Bordeaux that sells for a song. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over several hours. The 2012 pours a light ruby with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of red brambles, red rope licorice, leather, red flowers and purple flowers, and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose the finish is medium+. Textbook, Grenache forward CdP that’s showing quite beautifully. Drink now through 2032. — 4 months ago