1949 Vieux Château Certan
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
I have had this wine several times over the last few years and it can be magnificent, having merited a score in the upper-nineties in the past. This particular bottle demonstrated the fact that when buying and drinking ancient vintages, one should expect a tremendous amount of variation. Although the nose offered spicy, earthy, herb-like aromas, and the flavors revealed fine ripeness and firm tannin, the wine lacked the generosity and richness I have experienced in other bottles, and the finish was hollow, astringent, and tannic.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
I have had this wine several times over the last few years and it can be magnificent, having merited a score in the upper-nineties in the past. This particular bottle demonstrated the fact that when buying and drinking ancient vintages, one should expect a tremendous amount of variation. Although the nose offered spicy, earthy, herb-like aromas, and the flavors revealed fine ripeness and firm tannin, the wine lacked the generosity and richness I have experienced in other bottles, and the finish was hollow, astringent, and tannic.
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.