1988VieuxChâteauCertan,Pomerol

Sans

“One of my favorite wine from this chateau, as well as from a vintage that remains somewhat underrated. Sweet black fruits intermixedwith earth, charcoal, licorice and compost jump from the glass of thismedium-bodied, deep, beautifully extracted Pomerol that has a real Medocstructure to it.â€?/em>91 points, The Wine Advocate

“The 1988 Vieux Ch�teau Certan is a vintage that I have not tasted often, something I rue even more having been reacquainted with itâ€?However, it soon gets its act together to deliver and gorgeous nose of black fruit, melted tar and cigar box, unashamedly classic in style, less sensual than the succeeding two vintages and yet extremely well defined. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, perfectly judged acidity, tobacco and cedar dominating the second half and yet there remains more than enough freshness and length to urge you back for on other sip. Superb. Tasted at the VCC dinner with Francois Thienpont, hosted by Wine Source in London.â€?/em> Drink 2018-2035. 91 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com (tasted February, 2018)

From the top echelon of the Right Bank’s most prized appellation and an estate which in recent decades has been challenging once more for top position there. Alexandre Thienpont, who took over the running of the estate for the 1986 vintage, is the driving force behind this resurgence. Here, a fine, remarkably matured example of his work in a bottle that’s even finer for an exclusive occasion.