1958 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
‘Mild winter. March had cold, snow and hail. April very cold. May very fine and then cold and rain. Good flowering, warm and dry. The weather was unsettled for most of the growing season with intermittent storms, with a slight break in the clouds for a warm end July and beginning of August. A late harvest, around 6 October under good conditions, finished a difficult year.’ Made from the third of the vines that were not frosted. Mid ruby with a pale rim. Oxidised nose. Dry finish. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1958 Vieux Château Certan is a vintage that I have not encountered previously. As Alexandre Thienpont mentioned, the volume was extremely small as this was just two years after the devastating freeze of 1956 that decimated two-thirds of the vineyard. This was harvested from October 6. It acquits itself extremely well. There is a slight mustiness on the nose, with touches of leather and morels, obviously missing the fruit of the 1955 or 1959. The palate is unexpectedly slightly viscous in texture with more precocity than presumed. With fine-boned tannins, hints of sloes and licorice with adequate weight on the finish, this is a commendable off-vintage Pomerol that almost challenges what turned out to be an under-performing bottle of 1959. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove.
About the producer
The original Château at Vieux Château Certan dates back to around 1770 but the modern history of the estate begins in 1924 - the year that Belgian wine merchant Georges Thienpont purchased the property.