1953 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
‘Regarded very highly as one of the best post-war vintages. Early spring; dry with frost risks for two months, flowering affected by rain – some coulure. End of June hot and stormy. One of the best Augusts in memory (août fait le moût). Good weather until mid-September and then rain delayed harvest. Picking began October 2 nd under perfect skies. Good yields.’ Shaded bright fox red. Gloriously rich nose. Layered and lively. Fairly light but pretty. Round and fresh. Long. Sweet then mineral. Charming. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The third bottle of 1953 Vieux Château Certan to come my way is the best (so far!). Picked from October 2 after a warm August and then a wet September, prompting the delay in harvest, this has a very complex, disarmingly beautiful bouquet. Initially, it's a bit loose-knit, with perhaps less fruit concentration than the 1950. However, it manifests an array of secondary aromas with time: algae/Japanese seaweed, hickory and then meaty aromas, not unlike Italian Mortadella. Very mercurial and entrancing. The palate is sweet on the entry with a wonderful spine of acidity. Maybe not as complex as the 1950, though this is elegance incarnate, a subtle marine-influence finish that is so precise. Magnificent. 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.