"The 1996 Vieux Château Certan comprises only vines in excess of 25 years and underwent long vatting, aged in two-thirds new oak. The nose has a sense of flatness that it cannot shake off, leathery black fruit, just missing a bit of perfume. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannins but well-balanced with fine acidity. The finish is perhaps the best part of this 1996, with Earl Grey and black pepper complementing that dark berry fruit. It just feels a bit short on the aftertaste. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove." -Neal Martin
Robert Parker
RP87
"Tasted three times from bottle in January, the 1996 merited a slightly higher score on one occasion, but my policy is to go with the more conservative rating. The wine exhibits a dark plum color, and a complex nose of roasted herbs, Asian spices, earth, and sweet black cherry fruit. A refined claret, with excellent concentration, a sweet mid-palate, and moderate tannin in the finish, it is a finesse-styled Pomerol." -Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Jancis Robinson
JR18
"‘Alexandre: “It is with emotion that we will remember the year 1996. Requiring a lot of care and a strict selection in the vines, the climatic cycle was however ideally temperate, with a very beautiful late season favouring the full expression of our grape varieties, particularly Cabernet Franc.”’ 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, only from vines more than 25 years old. Deep garnet with a ruby rim. Rich, warm and toasty on the nose. Still firm on the palate. Not yet ready. Extremely youthful with lots tucked in there for the future. Embryonic! A real spine to this wine."
Wine Spectator
WS93
"Decadent and rich, with wild mushrooms, plum and hints of citrus fruit. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Complex, with toasted oak, coffee and ripe fruit. It goes on and on. Wonderful. Big surprise. Get it. One of the best Right Bank wines in 1996."
Details
Grape Variety
Cabernet Franc
,
Merlot
,
Other Regional Grapes
,
Red Blend
