2023 Chateau Vieux Chateau Certan - Pomerol (750ml)
2023 Vieux Château Certan — Pomerol
The Thienpont family has a rich legacy within the wine trade and some of Bordeaux's top Right Bank estates, and VCC remains their crown jewel — one of Pomerol's most aristocratic and age-worthy wines. The 2023 presented a decisive moment in the cellar: Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont were forced to decide whether to pick their Cabernets before or after the September rains, and ultimately none of the lots picked before the rain made it into the grand vin — only those picked later were deemed of high enough quality. The result is an unusual blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, with no Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, harvested September 18 to 29, aged in roughly 60% new oak.
The 2023 VCC bursts from the glass with demonstrative aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings, and violets mingled with notions of burning embers, iris, crushed mint, and black tea. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and sensual, with a gourmand attack that segues into a layered, enveloping mid-palate, polished and perfumed with a sweet core of fruit.