La Gravette de Certan 2016 (750ML)

95+ Points, Christopher Deas, Zachys Buying Team: "Tasted four times. This is another one of those examples where the critics are being too critical in rating a second wine. It is a bottle that is so much more than a mere "second wine" and is certainly more unique and interesting than many first labels in Pomerol (and beyond). The Second Label of the iconic Pomerol producer Vieux Château Certan is the La Gravette de Certan, named after a parcel of vines bought by the Thienpont family back in 1946. The quality at Vieux Château Certan has improved so much over the past decade that Robert Parker previously posted this quote from Alexandre Thienpont "La Gravette de Certan is better in 2010 than many of the vintages of Vieux Château Certan produced in the 1970s." The even better news here is that the 2016 follows where the 2015, 2014, and 2010 left off. Sure there is the inviting layer of Pomerol's signature silky and seductive dark fruit, but there is also tongue staining red fruit, persistence, and depth here. Expect to find notes of succulent black cherries, raspberries, mulberries, plums, crushed violets, licorice, matched with hints of earth, eucalyptus, tobacco and a touch of salinity. Just 1,500 cases of this difficult to find wine are produced with Zachys carrying the largest allocation in the country. It is a wine that pleases today and offers longevity for tomorrow. The 2016 Gravette is a wine that Francois calls the greatest ever - more complete and not as generous as 2015." 7/19

95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Made up of 75% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 La Gravette de Certan has a deep garnet-purple color and features lovely redcurrants, black raspberries and black cherries notes with a beautiful floral background of lavender and rose hip tea plus suggestions of sandalwood, cinnamon stick and menthol. Medium-bodied, refreshing, elegant and beautifully seamless, it offers layers of perfumed red and black fruits with a satiny texture and very impressive length." 11/18

93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2016 La Gravette de Certan is flat-out gorgeous. Supple, creamy and beautifully textured, the 2016 possesses striking density and class to burn. Readers will find all of the sensuality of the Grand Vin in this striking, sumptuous second wine. A rush of blue fruits, lavender, spice, menthol and rose petal builds in a silky, beautifully perfumed Pomerol. Readers who can find the Gravette should not hesitate, as it is sublime. The 2016 is 75% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon taken from young vines, those under 25 years of age. Because young vines struggle a bit more under heat stress, the Gravette has a slightly exotic character. It is a fabulous and arrestingly beautiful wine by any measure. " 1/19

95 Points, James Sucking: "Lovely finesse and clarity of ripe fruit, leather, spice and leaves on the nose and palate. Medium body, elegance and balance. It just floats on the palate. One of best ever of the second wine of Vieux Chateau Certan. Drinkable now, but even better in 2023." 1/19

93 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "The second wine of Vieux Château Certan defines young vines as those that are less than 25 years old, which gives you some idea of how different things are from your usual Bordeaux property. This has an amazing depth of fruit on the nose, with powerful cassis and bilberry softened by raspberry leaf and tobacco notes. It's a beautifully well balanced wine, extremely well constructed, precise and great quality, but pretty austere right now. Around 40% of overall production. 50% new oak. Drinking Window 2024 - 2036." 10/18

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com: "Darker and denser than the 2015, the 2016 La Gravette de Certan reveals a similar profile yet has more obvious structure as well as full-bodied notes of smoked tobacco, black fruits, earth, and spice box. Deep, powerful, and shockingly good for a second wine, it's well worth your time and money. Drink it over the coming 20+ years." 2/19