VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN
2013 Pomerol
The weather wasn't with us', said Guillaume Thienpont, explaining that the Cabernet Franc was just not good enough this year. They have made only a thousand cases of Grand Vin, with two thirds of the crop going to the second wine. Perfumed floral and red fruit nose, palate smooth and light with a slight hardening of acidity. The signature silky elegance without the power and richness, and without the characteristic Cabernet Franc fruit flavours either. They really waited for as much ripeness as they could get, despite the pressure of the developing botrytis, because, as Guillaume put it, 'vegetal flavours are not acceptable these days', but then had to be very gentle with extraction. 2016-2021 Rating: 89 L&S (Apr 2014)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
Approximately 1,000 cases of the 2013 Vieux Chateau Certan (versus the normal 4,000 cases) were produced. Alexandre Thienpont told me that yields were 22 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend was unusual in that it was 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol was a surprisingly lofty 13%. While charming, tasty and elegant, this wine does not possess the depth, fat or texture of a great vintage. The tropical September that spawned botrytis throughout Bordeaux vineyards had to be cut out, and the result was a ridiculously small crop that cost a fortune to produce, but will never sell for a high price since it is a good rather than exceptional wine. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. 2014-2021 Rating: 87-88 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Aug 2014)
(92% merlot and 8% cabernet franc): Bright ruby. Perfumed, very pure aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant and violet. Enters the mouth bright and fresh, with juicy small red and dark berry flavors complicated by hints of iron and cedar. The finish is long and a little austere. Another solid 2013 wine that is only missing the fruit and charm of the better vintages. Interestingly, while many in Bordeaux (Medoc estates included) are starting to increase their use of cabernet franc, even if only by small amounts, at VCC the percentage of this variety seems to be decreasing almost every year. Rating: 87-90 Ian d'Agata - Stephen Tanzer website (May 2014)
Merlot 92% Cabernet Franc 8%. Sweet fruited on the nose the palate starts with freshness a fragrant mix of red fruits and black cherry. There is depth in the middle ripe flavours generous and rich but towards the back it feels lighter with a strong red fruited finish. 2020-35. Rating: 91-94 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (May 2014)
At one point there was a rumour that, like its sister property Le Pin, VCC wouldn’t show its wine en primeur. But they proved to be wrong, even if quantities are small. It’s fine and refreshing, with granular tannins, good acidity and a grassy undertone. 2018-26 Rating: 92 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2014)
(92 Merlot, 8 Cabernet Franc) The selection was so severe here that only a fifth of the crop was made. In 2013, 1000 cases of VCC will be released compared to 5000 in a normal year. There were big problems at flowering here - they lost half the crop. After an average August the awful September came. They sorted the fruit on the vine but decided very early on that 2/3 would be made into the second wine Gravette. The Grand Vin, with its dominant Merlot theme, is truly magnificent. It is one of the most compelling wines of the vintage. The poise, balance and freshness are in a class of their own. There is nobility here and the counterpoint between darkness and levity is arresting. Sleek, controlled, polished and cool, the crunch of tannin is thrilling. The aromatic lift on the nose is sets the whole wine up. There are fleeting moments of exotic perfume tempered by restraint and calm. I love it. Rating: 18.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2014)
Less than 1,000 cases – 4,000 in a normal year. Mainly (92%) Merlot. Suave texture. Rich and ripe. Structured palate but a little less definition. Very good all the same. Drink: 2020-2035. Rating: 17.5 James Lawther MW, decanter.com (Apr 2014)
The Vieux Château Certan 2013 is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc picked from 30 September until 9th October at 22hl/ha. It has a lovely, pure bouquet with small red cherries, rose petals and mineral that has exquisite delineation, though it does not possess the profundity of a top tier VCC. The palate is precise on the entry, a little pinched perhaps but with aeration it unfurls nicely. There is great tension here: a streamlined VCC that has the precision of a Swiss watch and a sense of tension that Hitchcock would have been proud of Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)
Another lively 2013 with lemon peel, minerals and blueberries. Medium body with fine tannins and a bright, delicious finish. Delicate. Tangy and bright. Only 1,000 cases instead of the usual 4,000. 92% merlot and 8% cabernet franc. Rating: 90-91 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2014)
Vieux Château Certan
Founded in the 16th century, the Vieux Chateau Certan has kept its name since 1745. In 1924 it was acquired by Georges Thienpont. Situated in the heart of Pomerol, this Château is the oldest cru of the appellation. Since its early days it has gained a reputation of being one of the rarest and most prestigious crus in the world. It is hailed for the exquisite finesse of its wines, the elegance of the chartreuse chateau surrounded by age-old trees, the order and quality of the vineyard – Vieux Château Certan inspires and fascinates wine connoisseurs around the world.
Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those of the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do call us, but see the 'practical notes' below.
Ordering
Prices are per case as listed 'in bond London'.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment from you to buy the wines you order on release, subject to the price being below the upper price of the estimated band on our website. You may also set your own upper price limit, lower or higher than ours. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability. Providing this firm commitment to us effectively gives you priority.
Wines listed on the website (after any pre-orders and allocations have been fulfilled) can be ordered in the usual way via the website order form or by email or telephone 020 7221 1982, always subject to stock remaining.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are contractually binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of the confirmation date, apart from pre-orders which are binding if the release price is below the top estimate or other price you have set.
Invoices are raised at the In Bond price, excluding any duty and VAT which will become payable at the prevailing rates on arrival of the wine if required duty paid.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or credit transfer. We reserve the right to charge 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
- Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
- Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £1000, orders below this total will be charged £16.50+ VAT when the wine invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery for 2016 Bordeaux primeurs will probably be completed by October 2019, but we make no guarantee as to specific delivery times, and some of the Sauternes may be later.
Practical notes - how it works
We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes) for immediate payment. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option, but do please note that confirmed orders are still binding as above even if the final invoice has not been issued.
When the wine is shipped, unless previously specified we will assume that delivery is to be to bonded storage with Elephant Storage, but in any case, we will contact you requesting any alternative instructions. If you have another bonded delivery address you would like the wine to go to, please tell us at the time of ordering. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue invoices at the rates prevailing at the time for the excise duty (currently £25.98 per case) and the VAT (currently at 20%) on the total of the wine cost and the duty.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the bottle size you want. Even if a wine is only listed in one size, you can order any bottle or case size you want if the property supplies it, but you must order the case/bottle size you require and check that the correct size has been invoiced.
Additional charges are as follows:-
- +£15 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£15 per case of 6 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£35 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£45 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.